09 Jun More opportunities to play in Msholozi
Children need to play to learn and thousands of little children in Msholozi are able to do just that thanks to two dedicated Toy Libraries. “My son can now count numbers and I’m thankful to the project for teaching him” – Parent of child in the Umphakatsi project. Penreach, together with partners FNB, Halls, Riverside Park and Anglo American have establishing these libraries in Msholozi A and D respectively.
The first Penreach Toy Library in Msholozi A was erected at Khula Khula Day Care and allows over 400 children and their caregivers access to a range of educational toys and books. This opportunity for households to receive toys, and to regularly exchange these, has proven a great success in terms of child development. Penreach Field Advisors conduct regular visits in the Umphakatsi project and during these visits get time to talk to the caregivers and understand the impact of the programme. Non-Centre Based Practitioner (NCBP) Lindiwe Maseko shares, “ I love my job and I am happy as I can give help to people who need help, I want to thank Penreach as I also learn. I can now understand what children need and I can give them this.”
When the second such a toy library was opened to the community at Gugulethu daycare centre on May 18, the excitement of caregivers, children, local schools, community leaders and pre-schools was evident. The Penreach Toy Libraries allows practitioners from surrounding Early Childhood Development centres, as well as non-centre-based practitioners from the Penreach Umphakatsi Project to borrow toys and resources to enhance their structured ECD programmes. It also assists in training the practitioners on how to maximise usage of toys and resources to ensure optimal skills development in children.
Activity days at the toy libraries are held throughout the year, where children, parents and practitioners from ECD centres and the Umphakatsi project play and learn together.
To support this great initiative in a community near you, please contact Penreach via penreach@penryn.co.za.
On Thursday the 18th of May, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the second Penreach Umphakatsi Project Toy Library. Penreach welcomed special guests from (Left to Right) Halls CSI Specialist ,Matthew Comins, Penreach Programme Director of ECD and Teacher Development, Thulile Makofane, Department of Education ECD Specialist , Mpho Mnisi and Msholozi Ward Councillor, Kenneth Mkhonto.
