Joy as upgraded upper Highway crèche opens

A NEWLY upgraded pre-school was celebrated at the official opening in KwaNqetho, just outside Hillcrest.

More than 60 guests attended to mark this milestone.

Entokozweni Pre-School was started by Bonisiwe Gwala, a woman who has a passion for children and who understands the importance of education.

Bonisiwe started the school in a church building, located on her property. The name of the crèche, Entokozweni is a Zulu word which means ‘abundance of joy’ and caters for 30 children from 12 months to five-year-old toddlers.

ALSO READ: Valley of 1000 Hills pre-school get much-need upgrade

Lead Architects, who also designed the improvements for Project Bright, the first of Focus on iThemba’s structural upgrades, agreed to partner with the non-profit organisation again on this upgrade project.

The unique, cheerful space utilises eight insulated shipping containers which house classrooms, toilets, a kitchen and an office and storage facility.

Team leader at Focus on iThemba, Tayla-Anne Goss, said the school’s facilities were not conducive to learning and were cramped, dark, had poor ventilation and the teachers had to pack up the school every Friday so the church could function over the weekends.

“The Focus on iThemba team, with the collaboration of 34 donors and partners, came together as agents of change to make Gwala’s dream a reality and for the first time, the children benefit from flushing toilets, water sustainability through the installation of a JOJO tank, floor coverings that promote hygiene and a fun learning environment, as well as a much-needed jungle gym,” said Goss.

The momentum for this structural upgrade was the wish of the anchor partners involved in Project Bright to collaborate on the transformation of another of Focus on iThemba’s partnering pre-schools.

One of Focus on iThemba’s key focus areas include partnering with 10 local pre-schools to ensure elevating Early Childhood Development (ECD). With extensive research highlighting the significance of quality learning and nutrition during a child’s first 2 000 days, in terms of crucial brain development, the need for a sufficient learning space for Entokozweni Pre-School was a priority.

Potential partners for future ECD projects are encouraged to contact Tayla-Anne Goss on tayla@focusonithemba.org if they are able to assist.

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