Grow Quality Early Learning in Malungeni.

With funding provided by Arm in Arm in Africa and DG Murray Trust, the training of early childhood teachers in Malungeni, Eastern Cape, is continuing with vigour.

Two contact sessions have already been completed in 2026, the most recent in this month of April. The short report on this contact session, prepared for social media, is worth repeating here – read below.

During our recent visit to Malungeni, we worked alongside ECE teachers to explore a simple but powerful idea: What if the garden is not just a space, but also a teacher?

Through hands-on, sensory-rich experiences, practitioners engaged with natural materials — leaves, seeds, soil, flowers — and began to see how these everyday elements can support learning across the curriculum.

From creative art processes using soil and flowers, to exploring textures, smells, and patterns, the garden became a space for:

Inquiry and observation
Creative expression
Sensory exploration
Language and discussion.

What stood out most was the shift in thinking. Teachers were surprised by how much learning a garden can offer — and how easily these experiences link to curriculum goals.

When learning is hands-on, it becomes meaningful.
When we use what is around us, learning becomes accessible.
When we shift perspective, we see that learning is everywhere.

Carole Scott (Malungeni Project Leader)

This is the report that will be going into the annual report for 2025 - a good year for the Malungeni project:

Returning to the village of Malungeni, we were energized by the continued passion of the community. Despite a year's gap due to a delay in funding, the commitment shown by all participants had never been stronger, with many original participants, some well into their 70s, still enthusiastically involved.

2025 was defined by community collaboration and exciting teacher training. Strong community support was evident during every visit. From offers of accommodation for distant attendees, to volunteers to help with setup, to delicious meals cooked by local chefs (and featuring community-donated vegetables), and wonderful resources created by local crafters.

We were grateful to be accompanied by Mzikayise Ndzuzo (Mzi), a staunch ECD advocate with international experience. Mzi provided an essential security service and helped with translation. He quickly absorbed the pedagogic language of A+, and even led highly successful energiser activities. He is an invaluable asset and we look forward to working with him again while he continues his training as a Community Facilitator.

It was an honour to meet with members of Arm in Arm in Africa (an American NPO), who have generously funded much of our work, and gave us the opportunity to share our vision in person. We were excited to host Ongeziwe Nxokwana from DG Murray Trust, who joined our activities and participated fully. And we were thrilled to receive a generous donation from Book Dash –2000 books were distributed to children and teachers.

We successfully completed initial training of our Community Facilitators (CFs). This team of talented educators, now supported by a stipend, is already conducting site visits and connecting with local ECD centres, thereby significantly expanding the reach of A+.

The dedication of the principals and teachers is inspiring. They travel long distances and display perseverance through challenging activities and difficult conditions. Their enthusiasm to step beyond their comfort zones, explore new concepts, and showcase their creative energy (culminating in the "Sound Suits" activity) were highlights of every workshop.

Teachers showed integrity in their reflections and demonstrated a clear understanding of complex terms like “climate” and “collaboration” in their feedback. The new influx of younger, energetic staff, alongside the seasoned veterans, is driving innovation and passion across 25 ECD centres, potentially impacting 1070 children in the local area.

The Malungeni community, under the dedicated guidance of Dr Spiwo Xapile and his wife Zethu of The Platform (a local NPO), consistently welcomes A+ with open arms, making every visit an engaging and fulfilling experience. The spirit of ubuntu is alive and well in Malungeni, with creative teaching and community collaboration being keys to a thriving future.