Educational toys for South African street children

Summary

The new preschool program at the Delft South housing project ensures children no longer enter grade school far behind their wealthier peers. Educational toys will help them gain necessary skills.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The Delft South projects house families without formal employment. Parents work as domestic workers, often living on less than $50/month. There are no early childhood development programs, and young children roam the streets while parents work. A two-room house is being used to prepare them for school. Funding is needed to purchase educational toys and materials, and an awning to provide shade from the hot South African sun.

How will this project solve this problem?

Impoverished mothers with children walk the streets collecting youngsters t bring to school. There, a volunteer teacher, who has completed Waldorf training, prepares the children to attend formal school.

Potential Long Term Impact

The children sing, memorize the alphabet, learn to write their name, and count. The addition of paints, chalkboards, puzzles, blocks, and other educational toys, will help further stimulate their minds, preparing them for school and a bright future.

Project Message

These children have nothing. No toys, no books. Just two empty rooms with a lot of potential.
- Nomakhaya Rubusana, Project Coordinator

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).