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 :-)