Royal Treatment...

Thanks to the generosity and kindness of Wiebke Ortmann, Deniesha Pillay and their colleagues at the Royal Hotel in Durban 36 children from Matimatolo set off in a bus to Durban for a Christmas Party held in their honour at the Royal Hotel. Some of these children have not left their community before and the bus was strangely quiet all the way down to Durban. Upon arrival at the Royal the children were greeted by the friendly staff and ushered up to the dining hall. Initially the children were very quiet and withdrawn, however by the time dessert came around they had lost their inhibitions and were chatting and laughing, in amongst two to three helpings of pudding. After lunch the children were presented with party packs and individual gifts. After saying our good byes we got back on the bus and the change in atmosphere was incredible. The children spoke animatedly about the party and many opened their gifts and took great joy in showing them to the others. I really was touched by the hearts of those at the hotel who were so keen to make a difference in the lives of these children and who definitely have left a lasting impression on each one of the children.

What an achievement...

At the end of a long and busy year I was very encouraged to receive feedback from the Family Facilitators of the Sikhulakahle project in Mbuba that only 14 of the 120 families involved in the project still require documents such as Birth Certificates and Identity Documents. In a community where many families have not been able to access documents this is a great achievement and a massive improvement from when the project started. I have been so encouraged by this group of ladies who have tried their best to assist the families to access services that they previously thought were unavailable to them. In 2010 our hope is that we can assist these 14 families to access documents and thus ensure that 100% of the families in the Sikhulakahle project have the documents they need.

On the road again...

The 9th of November saw me once again on the road and out of Greytown promoting LETCEE's work far and wide. I had the opportunity of attending the 4th International African ECD Conference in Dakar, Senegal from the 10th to 14th of November. Together with two of the researchers commissioned by UNICEF to study both LETCEE and Lesedi's models I presented a poster on the research at the conference. What amazed me is how many people from various countries in Africa are attempting to implement strategies with a similar ethos to LETCEE and Lesedi but again in each community the interventions play out in their own unique way. People were very keen to engage with us to see how we implement our approach because even though most people see working with community leaders as essential many had given up as they had encountered so many difficulties along the way. Personally, we had the awesome opportunity of visiting Goree Island situated just off the coast of Senegal. This island was one of the hubs of the slave trade in Africa and it was sobering to stand there and ponder what had gone on in that place. It confirmed for me that whatever we do in life and whatever programmes we attempt,it must be from a human rights approach where all people's rights are upheld and where one individuals rights do not infringe on the rights of others.

A dream for the children in Mbuba...

We plan to create a toy library for the children in Mbuba. The project is listed on SASIX! Lets hold thumbs our dreams come true!
http://www.sasix.co.za/projects/view/VP-KZN-AUG09-0002/

A wonderful story

A wonderful story of our work, written by Yvonne Duncan from Unicef
UNICEF: Child-tochild learning in rural South Africa safeguards the right to play

A long walk home

This photo was taken by one of our visitors from UNICEF whilst visiting our projects in Matimatolo.

This picture really touched me... to imagine this little girl and her daily journey home after school up the very steep hill. It tells so much about commitment and eagerness to learn regardless of the tough circumstances.
For 5 years the school bus drove past the turn-off to this rural village to take me to school , and I didn't know what was beyond that point- that a mere few kilometres away there was such poverty. On many days we complained that our school bus was old and slow, and that we didn't feel like going to school, never did I consider that trip on the bus to be a priveledge - how much we took for granted!

The road is long...

Working for a dynamic organization such as LETCEE one never quite knows where one will be from week to week and what new experiences or challenges will come your way. In November I have the privilege of representing both LETCEE and Lesedi Educare at the ECD Conference in Dakar, Senegal. I spent 2 days this week driving all over the Eastern Free State learning all about who Lesedi are and what they do. Lesedi haver a similar ethic to LETCEE focussing on building reltionships and working with communities and it was encouraging to learn more about what they do. Watch this space for further travels and a report back on the conference in Senegal.

In the news...

The Independent in Ireland: Dustin -gets-a-spring-in-his-wing-1924953.html

Go on you good thing!

Dustin wearing his new beaded LETCEE t-shirt.

UNICEF Visit

LETCEE proudly showcased it's work to a wonderful team from UNICEF Ireland last week. They brought along a very special visitor - Dustin the Turkey. Dustin, a popular Irish TV personality came to find out about South Africa and in particular the work that LETCEE does. He visited  some of the children in their homes in Matimatolo, together with the Siyabathanda Abantwana Family Facilitators and encouraged all the buddies, he also spoke to the LETCEE students. He brought great joy and laughter to all he spoke to.

A happy graduation day

Friday the 16th October was a big day for more than 100 LETCEE students, who graduated with an NQF Level 1 or Level 4 Certificate in Early Childhood Development. All of these ladies were involved in the EPWP Department of Education Learnership, which LETCEE did the training for.
It was encouraging to see the big smiles on their faces and to hear the jubilation from their supportive families, as they finally recieved the certificate which they have worked so hard for.

Over and above the call of duty

In a day and age when it is rare to see people go way beyond the call of duty it is inspiring to know that many of our Family Facilitators (volunteers) continue with their work visiting children in their homes despite being tired and sick or having to deal with their own crises at home. Just last week I was utterly amazed when I went out into the community to pick up one of the Facilitators with 10 of her children and take them to the playground that has been built in the community. Their homes are a fair distance from the playground and they do not get to go there regularly.When I arrived the Facilitator was waiting with the children, all ready to go. I asked her how she was doing she told me she had been up sick all night and was very weak. When asked why she did not phone and cancel the arrangements her response was, " But I had already made the arrangement with the children and I didn't want to disappoint them, they are so excited to go to the playground." When we arrived at the playground I watched her with the children and her interactions with the children were no different from any other day. It is this selflessness that gives me hope and inspires me to give my all no matter what the circumstances around me may be.

Making Music

Learner's practise using their musical instruments
which they have learnt to make using recycled waste this week.
Bottle tops, beans and stones can make amazing shakers and tamborines.

Growing People

LETCEE has alway believed in "growing people", and our staff are a wonderful example.
Today, Iris Mzila, a senior trainer, proudly presented her matric certificate to us. She achieved this through self study, while continuing her demanding training load, caring for her 3 children and serving her community. Iris started work at LETCEE in 1993 as a domestic worker. Over the years, her passion for children and commitment to creating a better world for the little ones, has been her driving force. She has completed various courses and taken every opportunity to learn. She has a Level 5 certificate, is a registered assessor, an ABET facilitator and will shortly get her driver's licence. Iris is an inspirational trainer, a caring, creative teacher and a role model for women.

5 other staff members are also studying. Whether studying for matric or completing a master's degree, they have earned our respect and our congratulations. Their understanding of the commitment needed to study contributes to the quality of LETCEE's training.

"One generation plants the trees- another gets the shade"
-Chinese Proverb-

Our mission is to empower and encourage adults to create nurturing environments for children.

We do this by providing accredited training to ECD teachers and by supporting volunteers who visit children in their homes to facilitate learning through play. We all need to do our bit for children - the vast majority of young South Africans still have no access to Early Education.

The LETCEE Blog

BLOG 

We've heard about them, asked what they were, read a few... and now have decided to get our own! So here's the LETCEE blog- a place where we hope to share our thoughts, experiences and feelings about the work we're doing. 
LET'S SEE  LETCEE :-)