Glen Anil NPO set to change the future one child at a time

FOR Fundisa Isizwe Trust, ensuring children get a good education in the foundation phase is key to having outstanding members of society in the future.

The Glen Anil NPO, which has been assisting children for the past 35 years, has its sights fixed on helping ailing communities with the support needed to develop children from a young age.

Fundisa Isizwe Trust board member Mandla Mthembu said the trust was established to support Early Childhood Development (ECD).

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“Fundisa Isizwe Trust was established in 1987. We realised that if we’re going to have an impact on education and to even follow through with our ministry mission, which is to reach the world one child at a time, then we need to support ECDs. Our aim is to impact the next generation, and you cannot impact the world as much as you would like to if you reach people when they are much older.

“You need to nip it in the bud, the same as you shape clay while it’s still wet so it takes the shape that you want. We have different programmes that we assist with. We assist people who want to register their ECDs with the department; we provide support to ECDs by funding the building of creches or any other infrastucture that might be needed; we assess the applications, and if we’ve got funds, we go ahead,” said Mthembu.

He said, the trust also facilitates ECD Teacher Training so as to ensure that children get the education they need.

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“Teachers need to be trained on how to use the tools, whether it’s hand-painting, playdough or any other material. Even when the crèche is up and running, we provide support by training teachers on how to use the toys and all activities and learning materials that are suitable to mould our children into outstanding members of society.

“We also assist people with ECDs to work towards getting a qualification with the TREE NPO, which does NQF Level 4 and NQF Level 5 ECD qualifications. This equips people with the necessary skills they need to run a successful ECD.”

Mthembu said the morality of children is completely reliant on the foundation that is furnished for them. He stressed the importance of instilling values and morals in children when they are still young.

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“Children need to have values, ethics and integrity, and where better to start that than in an ECD centre? When you teach children about God, integrity and honesty at that level, they are most likely to grow up with the same values. Personality is what all of us can see, but character is different altogether. Character is shaped by what you teach children when they are small, which yields good results when they are older,” he said.

Asked about some of the challenges faced by the trust, Mthembu said the main issue is funding. He said he appeals to the public to get involved by spreading the word about Fundisa Isizwe, and for businesses to make a donation towards this initiative as it is pivotal for the future of the country.

“Fundisa Isizwe is making a difference in the lives of thousands of children by ensuring that the costs of overheads are kept at a minimum. The number one challenge that we are facing is getting funds that will assist us to capacitate ECDs across this province. That is why we are appealing to the public and businesses to make a difference by donating, so we can continue building our next generation,” he said.

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