Ten practitioners from Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across rural villages in the Blouberg Municipal District of the Limpopo Province, recently attended COVID-19 (CV-19) health and safety training. In addition to the day of training, each participant received PPE supplies for their ECD centres, which collectively cares for almost 1 000 young children. “The PPE, together with training and administrative material, has given us a head-start and helped us to prepared properly for our school’s re-opening. We are more confident in knowing that we are now CV-19 compliant,” said Phute Mokgohloa, ECD Practitioner from Apa di Fele Crèche and Pre-school, in Ga-Mashalane Village, Limpopo.
The training was conducted at the Serakalala Crèche and Pre-School in Ga-Maraise, in preparation for the new school year and was in line with safety regulations and CV-19 protocols, including referrals for testing. Practitioners were also trained on the necessary screening protocols to keep the highest level of safety at their ECD centres.
“The reason we decided to fund this specialised training is because we realised that most of the Practitioners are not trained regarding regulations and sanitation protocols. The training has also specifically taught them how to manage a child who is showing symptoms, and the protocols to refer children and their families for testing,” explained Harrisinah Theka, Economic Development Officer for out an Solar Power, which previously responded to a call from the District Department of Education for schools in the Blouberg Municipality, in Limpopo, to provide 4 000 learners with cloth masks.
“Masks and sanitisers were supplied to schools, via the Department of Education, so that teachers, learners and staff can follow the necessary regulations and safety measures put in place, to help reduce the risk of infection,” added Theka.
Participating ECD centres include: Serakalala Crèche and Pre-School, Ga- Maraise; Witten Crèche and Pre-School, Ga-Maraise Village; Thusanang Crèche and Pre-school, Indermark Village; Sedibeng Crèche and Pre-School, Sekuruleng Village; Apa Di Fele, Ga- Mashalane Village: Mamokgalabje Crèche and Pre-School, Avon Village; Seboko Nkoana, Avon Village; Lehlabile Crèche and Pre-School, Ga-Machaba Village; Manhlabeng Crèche and Pre-School, Ga- Ramutla A Village; and Lebitsi Crèche and Pre-school, Ga-Machaba- Village.
The PPE supplied to the ECD centres included large quantities of hand sanitisers; thermometers; large quantities of reusable cloth face masks and First Aid kits.
