The year started with strategic planning in Strandfontein with the whole SISO team. This focused on SISO’s vision, discussing the organization’s different structures and planning the  tasks required to reach the different goals set out for each structure.

Social work deals with three levels (micro, mezzo and macro) and we solve problems that each level faces using a holistic approach. This quarter the social work team supported 203 clients through case management, home visits, parenting workshops and referrals. Some of the major challenges we faced include clients struggling with substance abuse, putting children at risk of neglect; the postponement of our planned GBV support group due to a temporary lack of our partner’s facilitators; and lack of documentation for children. The cases we dealt with involved 50% on the issue of parents failing to obtain birth certificates and Child Support Grants for their children. We have been able to resolve 20% of those cases.

This quarter has contributed a lot to the team in terms of professional and personal growth as we interact with different challenges and achievements that our clients face on a daily basis. 
March is Social Work Month, and we honoured our practitioners who advocate daily for dignity, human rights and social justice across communities. 
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In conclusion, the first quarter was filled with learning experiences and we are looking forward at the interventions implemented to ensure that the wellbeing of children is taken care of and the family as a whole. We are determined to keep working on social change by implementing efforts that aim at eradicating unemployment, poverty, discrimination and social injustice. Thank you to our clients for their trust, and to our partners and volunteers who make this work possible.

TEAM LEADERS FIRST QUARTERLY INSERT 2026
We have reached the end of the first quarter of the year and have managed to achieve most of the planned activities according to the annual work plan. As team leaders, we have taken responsibility for guiding and supporting the team in different aspects of their work. These experiences have strengthened our ability to take initiative and responsibility and have also helped us expand our capacity by supervising the team with greater confidence. Here are some of the highlights and challenges that we have encountered during the quarter.

• Reconnection was made with 150 families and 146 families were recruited for Playgroup. 
• A total of 290 families and 296 children are participating in the playgroup programme.
• Reconnection was made with 85 families and  111 families were recruited for FCM, with a total of 194 families and 196 children are participating in FCM programme. 
• 151 children were enrolled in different primary schools.
• 21 children crossed over from the Family and Community Motivator programme to the Playgroup programme.
• 5 pregnant women are currently enrolled and actively participate in the First 1000 Days programme.
• We received boxes of soap as a donation from For Afrika. This contribution will support hygiene practices at the sites and help promote the health and well-being of the children.
• 75 children participated in a baseline external assessment, conducted by two internal and two external assessors, to determine developmental progress.
• Health workers provided vitamin A supplement, deworming treatment and related health services to 169 children.
• A caregiver from Khunkqu section donated ceiling boards to help keep the classroom warm
• 253 caregivers attended the cluster workshop focused on their well-being, with the topic “River of life”.
•  240 children participated in an educational outing to Giraffe House, where they explored and learned about different wild animals.
• The jungle gym slide at Nkanini has been repaired.
  
• Armsco donated laminate flooring, a three-burner gas stove, 18 tables and 74 chairs to support learning and daily activities of children and office at Sikhula Sonke
• Vathiswa Combi was promoted to the position of Team Leader for Health and Maintenance during the strategic planning process

• A total of 32 ECD practitioners and 7 Sikhula Sonke field workers attended the basic training

 
Challenges

• In some areas, rats are damaging children’s food, posing a serious health risk.
• At Taiwan, access to water is a serious concern, as it is not easily available during the day.
• The classroom at Social Distance feels unsafe due to a weak door.
• In some areas, the targeted number of children for both playgroup and FCM sessions was not reached.
• Growing Together program is not functioning effectively, as caregivers are not attending the sessions.
• The drain at UT Gardens is blocked, which may lead to water stagnation, unpleasant odours and potential health risks for the children.
• There is an ongoing issue with community members urinating in the classroom. The padlock for the toilet at UT Gardens is broken, which poses a safety and security concern.
• A security gate at UT Gardens has been stolen.
• Office toilet seats are damaged and need to be replaced.

• The A-Section space they using is unsuitable for our children.
• The Mew Way site experienced a mosquito infestation problem, which may affect both the children and staff.
• The shortage of practitioners in ECD centres is a major challenge, leading to a lack of consistent daily routine.
• The shortage of learning resources in some ECD centres, such as toys, limits children’s opportunities for play and development.

 
In closing, the first quarter was packed with lots of activities and we are very much encouraged by the progress made so far. We appreciate the continued commitment and collaboration from everyone involved and looking forward to building on this momentum in the coming quarter.