More Educational Toys for our Creche

One of the preschools we've been working with, Ilungelo Lethu Creche in Thembalethu township, has struggled along without any educational toys or games, and only a few books. Last year, we found that the children were playing with bottle tops, the teachers using the different coloured bottle tops to try and teach the kids about colours. We donated a box of toys and stationery, books and crayons.

Last week, we returned to the creche with a large shipment of educational toys, games, puzzles, books and three crates of wooden blocks. For most of these children, it was the first time they got to play with blocks or puzzles. The joy and excitement was hard to contain and we spent a wonderful hour with the children. Having never completed a puzzle before, even the most basic wooden pegged puzzle proved to be a challenge for the 3 and 4-year olds, but after a while they got the hang of it.

Our resident Occupational Therapist, Christene, spent some time with the teachers and will follow up with additional teacher training workshops, to show the teachers how to make the most of these educational toys and how to manage group activity time.

We delivered three crates of wooden blocks, donated by a local sawmill, and it was amazing to see how something new, and something as simple as wooden blocks, could enspire so much excitement and creativity.

Story books were another winner. All children love stories, and books provide one of the best learning opportunities for any age, whether you are simply pointing at pictures and learning new words, hearing a story, or learning about shapes, colours and numbers.

Seeing so many children at such an under-resourced preschool moves us to get involved and do what we can to improve the education these children receive. A good education starts at the preschool level. Intelligence and school readiness is developed during the toddler years, as children experience the world around them and learn about shapes, numbers, counting, colours, words and language, recognising and differentiating sizes, shapes and objects, etc. In an environment of love and support and active learning, they develop confidence as well as the cognitive abilities that will allow them to succeed at school.

Without your help, we cannot assist these children. Huge thanks to all who have donated to the trust - you have made a real difference to the lives and futures of these children! To donate, please visit our donations page and scroll down to make a donation by credit card.

Update: Project completed

Thank you to everyone who donated money and educational toys to Ilungelo Lethu Creche. These extra resources have made a huge difference! We have now completed this phase of the project.