Fisokuhle Preschool
Primary school children in this community benefit from E3’s Back to School programme. The preschool is helping younger children develop the skills needed to help break the cycle of poverty and thrive at school in Elandskop community, South Africa.
Priority is given to orphaned and vulnerable children in greatest need – those of teenage mums who are still at school and others being raised by their elderly grandmothers, some of whom have 8 children to care for.
Quality care and education is vital, so children have a solid foundation. Families face chronic hunger, inadequate housing, lack of income and low living standards. The effects of poverty can be devastating to child development, including illnesses, chronic malnutrition, slow cognitive development and academic failures. The preschool cares for children in a safe and nurturing environment, helping them learn the basic principles of life and develop adequate skills to thrive at primary school and beyond. The preschool is run by Mrs Mkhize.
Grant from E3: £4,000 (helping with running costs and the teacher and assistant’s salaries)
New development for 2024
This year the team has a vision to build a computer centre to enable young people to have access to computers to apply to university, create CVs and develop their skills. At the moment there is no facility in the community and people have to travel miles. They will pay a small fee to help cover the running costs.
The old building was in a poor condition and was not large enough.
Here is the old stinky long drop toilet!
What a luxury to have flushable toilets!
“Peter enjoys going to Fisokuhle Preschool. He is quick to learn and recites the day’s teachings at home. His teachers say he is intelligent and grasps things easily. He is a happy child, and he makes his teachers and friends happy too.
“I am Peter’s grandmother. I have been looking after him since his mother moved to the town to look for employment. Lots of parents must move away to find work because where we live is very rural and there are no job opportunities. We grandparents look after the children. Thanks to the preschool, I can rest for a bit when he is at school. “We are so thankful for the preschool being in our community and so close to us.”
Note: Peter is not his real name.
“The whole traditional rural area is shaken and short of words to say thank you E3 for the funding to help build the preschool.”
Deputy Chief, Mr P.Z. Phewa,
on behalf of 10 traditional areas under his leadership.
The ground-breaking ceremony before construction began! Sinatra, E3 CEO, (left in photo) is pictured with Mr Phewa.
