Pleased: Emily in one of the new classrooms built at Mabvete
When a storm destroyed her beloved school, the principal set her mind to building back better
When heavy rainfall and winds badly damaged the roof, walls and windows of her beloved creche, Emily Matamela was devastated.
“I lost all hope. I work at the ECD (Early Childhood Development centre) as the principal – it feeds my family – to see everything going down it really affected my family. It also affected the community in a bad way because children could no longer come to the crèche and parents didn’t know where to take their children while they had to go to work,” she said.
Emily, who runs the Mabvete Community Crèche in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, reached out to ForAfrika for help.
“My community depends on me to take care of the children and I am deeply committed to both the children and my work. I needed help.”
Partnership
In partnership with Absa, ForAfrika able to repair the classrooms and add a new building! The new classroom block features two well-ventilated, weatherproof classrooms that meet all national Department of Education norms and standards. They have been brightly decorated and are also equipped with mattresses, blankets and furniture, creating a conducive learning environment.
Additionally, the children receive our CSS+ porridge for their breakfast each morning. The Corn, Soya and Sugar blend is fortified with all the essential vitamins and minerals growing children need to learn and play.
Emily was also advised to establish a relationship with the local clinic in the nearby Tshiungani village, ensuring regular vaccinations and health checks for the children.
Increased enrolment
Since the facilities have been improved, the enrollment has increased from 18 to 32 – and because it now meets a number of regulations, the Mabvete Community Crèche will be conditionally funded by the Department of Education. This is a great milestone that ensures the sustainability of its operations.
“My crèche looks perfect – 10 times more than how it look before!” said a happy Emily.
The community has rallied around the centre; recognising its value in providing a strong foundation for their children’s future.
However, the school still needs fencing of the yard, new toilets, educational toys, and further training for the teachers.
