By James Harrison | Fundraiser
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)
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