Sikhula Sonke has started with the conversion of the abandoned public recreational space in UT Gardens. This will be a Winter strategic center and shelter for children in our Emthonjeni outreach playgroup programme, as well as a meeting and training center for the Imbiza family community motivator program( 1st 1000 days).

We are so excited about this Centre which will have a playpark, 2 classrooms, a kitchen and a storeroom!

We welcome all donations towards this project - you can give via SnapScan or EFT.
​Please add the reference "UT Gardens" to your donation. 

#sisochildprotection #sikhulasonkeecd

Vukukhanye Educare Centre visited our Toy Library in Harare Square last week - such a blessing to see these future leaders learn through play.
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Did you know that the Toy Library is used by our outreach playgroups as well as formal ECDs?
#sisoplayislearning #sisochampions #sisofutureleaders

Working in a community that struggles with unemployment coupled with an increase in crime as a result of SA's load shedding means that we sometimes experience the consequences as an organisation. During a recent load shedding the fence surrounding our offices in Harare Square was stolen. 

Grateful that the offices and training centre were unaffected. Our new fence was installed last week. 

The Fatherhood Network has been active this quarter - here are some photos from a recent training hosted in our Toy Library premises. Such a great opportunity for men to learn together and invest in their children's early childhood years. These are young men we are so proud of.
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#SISOlearning #sisochampions #sisochildprotection #SISOfatherhoodnetwork

On Friday children from the Emthonjeni outreach programmes were treated to an outing to a local farm in Melkbos. This was a huge event in their lives - many had never seen, touched or fed farm animals before. With a yummy lunch followed by scrumptious Easter eggs (thank you Wynberg Girls' High School), it was a day to remember with play, fun, new experiences and more.

#Emthonjeniplaygroups #SISOlearning #sisoplayislearning
​#playistheworkofchildhood #nochildleftbehind

At the beginning of every year our whole team takes a few days away together to reconnect, discuss and plan strategy and prepare for the coming year. Everyone has a place at the table and we welcome input, suggestions and ideas. 

A few snaps of the team in action at the start of the year (and a precious small person visiting today). 

Thank you to Tygervalley Mall for treating 24 of our children from the outreach programmes to a visit to Santa's Grotto today. The children happily discovered escalators, beautiful shops, met Santa and enjoyed snacks and treats.

But what made it all so much more special was the the conversations in the taxi on the way back to Khayelitsha (big "waaah's" and happy voices and stories of the very first ever visit to a mall) and the two young children who steadfastly refused to touch their snack packs as they wanted to share them with siblings at home. What big generous loving hearts they have!

MEDIA STATEMENT:
​This year marks the 68th year that World Children’s Day has been celebrated across the world. On the 20th November we celebrate and honor children, but today, as adults, caregivers, parents and custodians of children’s rights we are concerned about the state of young children, not just in South Africa but across the world. Young children are exposed to all sorts of social ills, some even perpetrated by the people that children have entrusted their lives to. Who have we become?

In South Africa, it looks like we wake up every day to new social ills that trample deeply on children’s rights. The days where children could walk and play freely, and be kind to people they do not know are long gone and over. In turn, this has destroyed the social fibre of ubuntu as caring communities. Instead, our communities are riddled with incidents of kidnapping of young children, drug trafficking, children in gangs, all sorts of abuses and many more. Now, the latest concern is pit bull dog attacks and the rising number of children who have been mauled. The government appears to be dragging their feet when it comes to legislation that deals with these issues. When is the good time to safeguard the future of this country, our children?

Sikhula Sonke Early Childhood Development releases this statement to invite this country at large - no matter which line of work or business are you in – to do something around development, nurturing, protection and safeguarding young children of this country. We also wish to salute and honour all of our partners in development for their roles towards ensuring that children’s rights are being observed in whatever ways possible. Early Childhood Development funding partners, government departments and grassroots organizations are indeed playing a huge role. Sadly this is not enough towards upholding children's rights and ensuring that children of this country are growing up in a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment.  More needs to be done.

My closing comments in this statement is that South Africa has a great potential and many resources towards leading from the front in addressing the issues highlighted on the Sustainable Developmental Goals.  What is it that is holding us back?  South Africa has its National Development Policy Plan which addresses many issues that surround children’s development and safety. Is this a window dressing for other countries? We, as the country, have a great Integrated National Early Childhood Development policy, Why does it look like we do not know where to start?

Not a single political party issued a statement this past Sunday of the World Children’s Day – which means “Kusekude engqinibeni” Khanenze ngcono MaAfrika ngabantwana belilizwe.  On this day, we honor you children of this World.

God Bless,
Mdebuka Mthwazi
Executive Director: Sikhula Sonke Early Childhood Development

Click here to download a copy of this statement: World Children's Day Statement