Soul Support’s mission to raise ECD teachers
It aims to raise early childhood development (ECD) teachers from previously disadvantaged communities.
IN association with the Verwoerdpark congregation of the Dutch Reformed Church, Tutela and the University of Pretoria, Soul Support was established.
This is a public benefit organisation that aims to raise early childhood development (ECD) teachers from previously disadvantaged communities.
After experiencing a need to connect with the community, as well as having a passion for education and ECD, a few community members merged their ideas to create this initiative of empowering people through education and thoroughly preparing young children for Grade One.
What to expect
Soul Support entails a seven-month course, which has been developed by the Centre of Contextual Ministries under the Department of Theology of the University of Pretoria, to raise future ECD teachers.
This course is designed for students from lesser privileged communities and provides them with the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills of a qualified ECD teacher.
Tutela’s Mona van Heerden, one of the outreach’s co-founders, commented: “This is a course of very high quality, yet it’s practical and easy for students to understand. It teaches them how to put previously-created lesson plans into practice, create their own lesson plans and how to use their limited resources in creative ways to educate and intrigue young learners.”
The first four months’ course classes are presented twice monthly at the Verwoerdpark Congregation by Mona, and the last three months’ classes once per week.
Nineteen participating students pay a reasonable monthly tuition fee and, after the course is to completed (this coming April), each student will receive a certificate from the University of Pretoria, stating their qualifications in basic ECD.
Continued support
After receiving their certificates, however, their relationships with Soul Support will continue growing, as Soul Support will stay in touch and keep enhancing their knowledge about all aspects of ECD.
Mona commented: “We at Soul Support believe that ECD is very important, not only for individuals but for society at large and future societies.
“Not only will students have an economic opportunity after completing this course, but the children they teach will learn to know themselves, have self-confidence and basic life-skills, understand pre-mathematical concepts and display healthy Christian values.”
Since Soul Support has to fund itself and there are little funds to work with, any help from the community will be greatly appreciated – whether it’s stationery, pre-school toys, snacks for classes or once-off or monthly monetary donations.
Soul Support is a registered NPO in terms of the act, and Section 18 Income Tax Certificates on financial contributions can be issued on request. Any donation would help Soul Support.
For more information, or to show your support, please contact Ghisnene Muller on 084 948 1227, Anton Watkins on 082 372 3432 or Chris Bothma on 082 301 1131.
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