Bank assists local Mmampelege Crèche
Due to poor infrastructure and a lack of equipment, Ms Mokwele has barely been able to address the basic human needs of the 30 toddlers attending the crèche.
Ms Maphuti Mokwele (37) is the founder and owner of Mmampelege Crèche, a dilapidated building that is a haven for 30 toddlers whose parents are unemployed.
Ms Mokwele is a mother of two, a caregiver to her disabled sister and is also the sole breadwinner.
“Children are in great danger in our community because there are a lot of child abduction cases.
“Knowing that the children are safe with me is what motivates me to do what I do. I don’t make any money from what I do, and after paying my employees and buying food for the children, I am left with nothing,” said Ms Mokwele.
Due to poor infrastructure and a lack of equipment, Ms Mokwele has barely been able to address the basic human needs of the 30 toddlers attending the crèche.
“It is very hot outside where the children are forced to sit, and there is no shade over there. The children often complain of headaches and have a lot of nosebleeds. They cannot be expected to sit indoors all day because the space is so small. Added to the discomfort of the heat is the lack of toilet facilities in the crèche. This has had a negative effect on the children and their self-esteem – some of them often make fun of each other, which often ends up in a fight,” said Ms Mokwele.
“However, thanks to the generosity of Standard Bank’s head office corporate volunteers, the crèche has now been renovated including the provision of chairs and tables, donation of educational toys and the creation of an enabling environment through the painting of the walls and decorative external murals. The next few months look even brighter.”
Standard Bank will be hosting a Christmas party for the children – a first ever for the crèche, while plans are also underway for the installation of toilets and shade covering in early 2016.
Mmampelege is one of the 18 crèches adopted by Standard Bank across the country, with the aim of improving early childhood development facilities.
Coordinated by non-profit organisation Khulisa Social Solutions, Standard Bank has ensured that all outreach activities are measurable, sustainable and, most importantly, based on the identified needs of the target group.
“To this end, interventions are linked to income generation that ultimately empowers every crèche to strengthen their governance structures, and where relevant to register as an NPO,” said Lucet Kok, the Head of Corporate Social Investment at Standard Bank.
Mmampelege Crèche is a great example of this sustainable approach, as more parents are likely to enrol their children after they see the positive changes at the facility.
“Before Standard Bank donated the toys, the children used cool drink bottle tops to learn to count. But now the caregivers are teaching them to read and count using suitable educational materials.
“The children can even identify colours clearly. I want my crèche to grow and to become a beautiful place where all children can be happy,” said Ms Mokwele.
The Standard Bank Volunteer Programme acknowledges that the early years in a child’s life are crucial for healthy development, progression and future growth.
