AN excited group of Hirsch’s Hillcrest staff members accompanied the Focus on iThemba team to Swelihle Crèche as part of the Mandela Day 67 minutes of kindness movement.
The crèche, which is a 10-minute drive from the iThemba Campus in Hillcrest, is one of eight crèches which iThemba is actively involved in uplifting through Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiatives and teacher training.
“The first 1000 days of a child’s life are the most crucial,” explained Danie van den Heever, iThemba’s founder and CEO.
“It is within this critical stage that a child most needs directed educational stimulation, good nutrition and guidance. Our 67-minute drive this year embraced this need with Hirsch Hillcrest staff and our iThemba team reading to children at the crèche and donating age-appropriate books for their library collection. The Hirsch team also donated lunch for the children. It truly was a happy morning and one where we are reminded that simple acts of kindness are the most fulfilling,” said Danie.
‘Action against Poverty’ was the overall theme for this year’s Mandela Day. The team at iThemba strongly believes that investing in quality ECD is one of the most important channels to eradicate poverty in our local communities, one child at a time.
“Our time at the crèche was so rewarding,” said Jonathan Brauteseth, Hirsch’s Hillcrest public relations officer.
“We have supported the good work at iThemba for more than six years now and we are very proud to be associated with this incredibly caring non-profit organization. Community involvement has always been crucial to us and initiatives like these are a highlight for our team,” said Brauteseth.
