The non-profit organisation Botshabelo share their knowledge through their UpliftED teacher’s programme.
The programme has been in operation since 2011 and runs alongside the numerous other projects the organisation is involved in, which includes a baby home that looks after orphans and a preschool that gives children from disadvantaged communities an education. It started as a manner for Botshabelo to impart teaching knowledge to principal and teachers through early childhood development (ECD) centres near them.
Through the work done by organisation founders Michelle Hinrichsen and Andy Clark, they grew from working at five to six ECD centres to between 12 and 15 a year. The programme operates in various areas around Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.
Clark said, “We have begun to develop educational conferences, aimed at professional development of those who cannot afford the other more conventional conferences for educators.”
He added that the organisation has also started an online learning portal, to try and bridge the gap between rich and poor schools and to teach the principals and teachers how to navigate technology and maintain relationships.
Fundraising manager Maja Muench said, “We train women up to the NQF Level 4 to become teachers and principal. To make sure that the children in the crèches in townships aren’t just being entertained but rather given a proper education.”
The programme was initiated alongside the Urban Kids Educentre which is a preschool for children between three to six years which runs on low cost and on sponsorship where residents or corporates can sponsor a child’s education.
The organisation wanted to reach more children by working with teachers and the principal of crèches and giving them the necessary knowledge to help the children in these communities. Muench added that the first years of learning in a child’s life are incredibly important and getting the foundational learning correct is the main aim.
Details: www.botshabelo.co.za
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