Thusanang celebrates successful ECD project

Thusanang Trust, based outside Haenertsburg, took on a two-year project to uplift rural communities by giving children the best start in life through early childhood development programmes. The goal was not only to focus on early childhood development (ECD) but also to change the whole community by uplifting parents with various support groups and providing training to ECD practitioners.

Thusanang Trust provided level 4 ECD training, management training, and guidance on curriculum and classroom management to more than 35 ECD centres over the last two years. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Thusanang had to adjust its strategies and think outside the box to provide distance learning for its practitioners during this time. The trust also assisted in providing centres in need with proper fencing, classrooms, and safe bathrooms for children at the ECD centres.

ECD awareness campaigns were held in the Capricorn, Mopani, Sekhukune, Vhembe, and Waterberg districts and did advocacy among playgroups with the aim to start ECD centres throughout these regions. In more than 60 information-sharing sessions dialogues were held with more than 1300 community members on the importance of early childhood development and child safety. Many parent support groups were formed in three clusters. As a snowball effect additional support groups for men was formed, called Real (Responsible, Engaged And Loving) Fathers.

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These groups provide support to the men involved in raising their children. The traditional leadership in Mankweng and Molepo also supported the communities where Thusanang Trust are involved and shared words of support during the closing ceremony on July 29. Peter Sekgobela was the master of ceremonies and Moruti Motimele opened the day’s events with prayer. Chrisna Stander, chair of the board of trustees at Thusanang Trust welcomed the various stakeholders.

Terry Morgan and Sekgobela gave an overview of the project and words of encouragement and support were shared by ECD centre supervisors, centre commitees and level 4 graduates. Sekgobela also introduced and shared his experiences with the Real Fathers support groups and Phutanang. John Lelope and Momoko Letsoalo also The early childhood development (ECD) programme benefitted more than 3000 children, 512 primary caregivers, 1373 community members, 100 ECD practitioners and an additional 4000 children indirectly.

“We need to make sure the forums and education centres remain recognised and make sure that these centres get funding. We also need to ensure than the quality of these ECD centres remain excellent. I want to thank each one for actively participating in their communities, and thank our ‘super trainers’. We can build a solid future on a solid foundation and continue the good work,” said Morgan.

Miyelani Mongwe, a social worker involved with early childhood development at the Department of Basic Education said: “Please allow me on behalf of the department to extend our sincere gratitude to the Thususang Trust team led by director, Terry Morgan. Thank you for demonstrating in a tangible way of showing what it means to help each other, as your name implies. “The department is excited to have organisations like yours on the ground whose vision is to create a sustainable environment for the development of young children, responsible parents and committed communities.

Thank you for your decision to actively participate in molding our communities to be the best to live in.” She commended Morgan, and her team of staff members and super trainers for their amazing work and thanked Thusunang for assisting to build solid communities from which parents, children and all community menbers, particularly in underdeveloped communities, can build a sold future.