So many hungry mouths to feed

There are about 105 children attending Sinothando crèche in Shakashead, most of them from underprivileged homes.

The crèche was founded in 2012 by Sthembile Makhaya, at which time she was running it from her home.

“Lots of children would just arrive to visit my three year old child. This made me recognise the need for a crèche. The children were spending a lot of time playing unsupervised, without getting any stimulation or nurturing,” said Makhaya.

In June last year she was given permission to use one of the Shakashead Community hall backyard rooms as a crèche. The crèche is registered with social development and the Khulubone Trust.

One of her biggest challenges is hungry children.

“Some of the parents find it hard to provide lunch for their children and it is very difficult to deal with a hungry child,” said Makhaya.

She would love to provide a meal for the kids.

“I do have pots, dishes and a gas cylinder. However I need a stove and food to be able to cook for them daily.”

According to Makhaya many of the parents are still attending school themselves, making providing for their children difficult.

“One of the children we take care of is a five month old boy. His mother is 14 years old, in grade five. Can that child take care of the baby or provide the needs of the baby? We have kids from naught to four years, the babies do not have beds to sleep on, and we do not have enough toys.”

The room that she is using is big enough to be divided into two rooms which she says would make it easier for her to teach the children.

“If we can have the babies in a separate room from the children, it would make it easier to take care of them,” she said.

If you wish to help the crèche with clothes, beds for the babies, carpets or food, contact Sthembile on 083 665 2242.