Early Childhood Development (ECD) lies at the heart of Waterloo Solarâs community upliftment strategy,
working to benefit a large number of centres in the Naledi area.
Two of these ECD centres, in Dithakwaneng, have received new jungle gyms as well as other essential gardening equipment, in addition
to educational supplies.
âWe believe that suitable playground equipment helps create safe and stimulating environments for young
children and is an especially important part of childrenâs natural development, as outdoor play provides opportunities for cognitive and socio-emotional development as well as being fun,â said Claire Phutieagae,Community Liaison Officer for Waterloo Solar.
Working together with the Department of Social Development, in the Naledi Local Municipality, Waterloo Solar identified specific needs. These included infrastructure equipment, educational toys as well as support programmes that are designed to empower practitioners and to increase school readiness of
children.
This programme kicked-off long before the solar project had commenced its operations, to include welfare
support, in the form of COVID-19 food parcel assistance for ECD practitioners to Kgatelopele ECD, in Colorblock Vryburg; Tshidiso Creche, in Colorblock Vryburg; Naledi ECD, in Huhudi; Rekopane ECD and Mameastso ECD in Dithakwaneng.
âThrough our ECD support programmes, we are working to empower practitioners with the relevant tools and equipment to help ensure the development and school readiness of children in our beneficiary
communities,â concluded Phutieagae.