The recent General Household Survey, 2021 by Statistics South Africa, has unearthed an overall decline in the number of children aged 0–4 who attended Grade R and pre-school, from 36,8% in 2019 to 28,5% in 2021.
While this might have been due to the disruptive Covid-19 pandemic, which saw the majority of South Africans relocate their offices to their homes to honour the lockdowns, it is also likely that this is the consequence of the loss of jobs that many contended with during the pandemic.
In response to this, non-profit organisation, Khulisa Social Solutions has taken an initiative to take over 200 toddlers to pre-school before September 2022.
Managing Director of Khulisa Social Solutions, Lesley Ann van Selm says, “These numbers are a great concern for us, it is common knowledge that early childhood development prepares children for school and helps them to complete more years of education. In fact, research shows that children who attend at least three years at a quality ECD are more likely to start school on track.
However, there are many young toddlers who are not afforded the opportunity to attend creche due to financial constraints and are often left during the day to play on the pavements with vendors or with caregivers who are unqualified to provide them with the necessary stimulation which is so essential to their growth.”
The cost to support a child for a year is R3,600 which can be payable monthly, quarterly, or once-off. The fees cover attendance five days a week from 08:00 to 17:00and include meals and quality education by competent caregivers.
“As an NGO with over 25 years in operation, we are also privileged to have a footprint throughout the country. So, this affords us the opportunity to reach all our deserving stakeholders in underprivileged communities,” says van Selm.
In Alexandra alone, Khulisa has been part of the significant peace-making and social cohesion programme, in which they have established a partnership in collaboration with the Alexandra NGO Foundation – subsequently giving them access to the greater Alexandra Early Childhood Development forum which boasts a membership of 45 creches.
Interested sponsors will be provided with a list of beneficiaries to choose from whose parents have been assessed by a Khulisa Social Worker who provides supporters with a quarterly progress report on their beneficiaries alongside photographs and videos. Sponsors can also anticipate a Section 18A tax certificate in return for their cash donations to this initiative.
For more information, please contact Khulisa at info@khulisa.org.za. To pledge a donation, please go to https://khulisa.org.za/play-your-part/.
