From throwaway to fun-to-play workshop at Nkobongo

Who knew that you could make a skipping rope with bread bags and that a cereal box could teach you how to tie your shoelaces like a pro?

The Christmas Fair Fund‘s Gaby Lyle and Mary Graham recently sponsored a Waste 2 Toys workshop run by KZN NPO Singakwenza (We can do it), training people to make educational toys from recycled material at Nkobongo Resource Centre.

Singakwenza believe that expensive equipment is not what determines how well children are educated. All that is needed is a dedicated, enthusiastic person with a pair of sharp scissors, a marker pen and access to a whole lot of waste.

Singakwenza’s Slindile Chamane said you should always encourage your children to make things and be creative.

“It is important to encourage children to make something. If your child makes a house and tells you it is a BMW, compliment them and let them be proud of what they have made,” said Chamane.

Lyle said they were so excited to be able to equip the ladies who work with children in underprivileged areas with the skills to make these innovative toys and teach through play.

“Singakwenza will host three workshops, each covering a different learning area such as gross motor, fine motor skills, maths skills, language development and puzzles ” said Lyle. She said they are so thankful to everyone who donated recycled items for the workshops.

“Wimpy and SuperSpar at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre as well Sasol garage in Salt Rock have been very supportive in collecting used 2 litre plastic milk containers and plastic bread bags. It was a great success and enjoyed by all the participants. We look forward to hosting more of these workshops in the future.”

The Christmas Fair Fund will be hosting the annual Country Fair at Collisheen on November 2 and 3.

For more information on the fair, visit their Facebook page The Christmas Fair Fund.