NATIONAL Children’s Day, held on the first Saturday of November, emphasises the nation’s commitment to realising the rights of children.

This includes access to health, education, safety and nurturing environments. One initiative leading this cause is the Clover Mama Afrika project, which empowers women known as ‘Mama Afrikas’ to make a difference in the lives of children in their communities as they see first-hand the challenges the youth face.

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Under the guidance of Professor Elain Vlok, Clover manager of the Clover Mama Afrika Trust, the project has expanded from four mamas supporting 1 500 children daily at inception 23 years ago, to 10 500 children being looked after by appointed mamas at their centres today.

One of these centres, run by Feziwe Gambo, is based in Ezimbokodweni, just outside of Amanzimtoti.

Vlok describes the centres as vibrant places where children, surrounded by love and care, sing, dance and enjoy their childhood.

“Our Mama Afrikas do their best to provide basic needs for each child by giving them a home, a peaceful haven where they are kept safe while sleeping and provided with food, schooling, love and care. They also make sure these children attend church on Sundays. Many times when visiting, I found the children singing and dancing which is so lovely to see. They are happy and that is so important in a child’s life,” she said.

The Mama Afrikas also start to equip the youth in their centres from a very young age, teaching them about cooking and baking, cleaning your immediate area, sewing, washing and ironing – all things that other youngsters who have a home experience.

Vlok said, “The children of our country and within these communities are the next generation and we are passing on a legacy to them. We must really be thoughtful and careful when we consider the quality of that legacy. How we raise our children and the values we instill in them is vital and will mould these children into the adults they will become one day.”

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Gambo, who started House-Kids Centre in 2010, is especially committed to nurturing curiosity and learning.

Vlok said Gambo always encouraged the children to explore, ask questions and learn. “She is very passionate about the children she looks after, and really gets involved and puts her heart into the time she spends with them – teaching them and watching them grow. She also focuses on fun, and this year they dressed up accordingly for Heritage Day and learnt what this meant,” she said.

Gambo started her centre after seeing so many young children who were left unattended.

Today, she has 357 children between the ages of three months and seven years old at the centre, and cares for 30 elderly members.

As a pastor’s wife, Gambo also takes on leadership roles in community organisations, furthering her impact on the community’s development. She is chairperson of the Umbumbulu ECD (early childhood development) Association with 55 members whom she manages (women, young and old) and is the secretary of the Umbumbulu NPO Forum with an additional 99 members under her care.

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