Thembalesizwe educare debs
The tiny tots of the crèche Thembalesizwe Educare Centre had a ball on Sunday when they held their Debutantes’ Dance at the local hall which was filled to capacity with eager parents, grandparents and children.
The crèche, which caters for 91 children between the ages of two and four and a half, is managing to do great things with very few resources. Principal Cynthia Mkoko has two teachers only to assist her, as well as a cook/cleaner and a gardener/handyman, yet manages to give the children individual care and love. Parents are only asked for R10 per month per child, but many do not even pay this, which causes huge problems for the staff. The crèche does receive some funding from Social Development for nutrition and educational toys, but this has been cut to subsidise only sixty children.
Last year they had a robbery when all the toys, as well as food, were taken, and they are still trying to recover from this. The crèche desperately needs some secure fencing, as all their outdoor equipment has also been broken or vandalized in the afternoons or evenings when there is no one there. It is situated on the main road into the township, and there is too a very real danger of the children running out into the street.
The little Debutantes managed to raise the grand sum of R5515 between them, which is a magnificent effort. First prize went to Asiphe Nonnies, who raised R600, mostly from walking the streets collecting donations. Lisakhanya Mbi came second with R500, and Amahle Skosana third with R300. The function on Sunday also brought in another R800, and Mkoko is thrilled with this response from the community. The first two princesses each received a children’s laptop! Entertainment was provided by three of the little girls, who sang individually, with beautiful clear voices.
The money raised will be put towards the children’s graduation ceremony, which is taking place next Sunday. Mkoko is still trying to find a venue, as they cannot afford the R600 charged by the Municipality for the Thembalesizwe hall.
