VISION, MISSION & HISTORY
Who we are
Sikhula Sonke ECD is a community-based organisation with a mandate to meet the need for quality early childhood development interventions in Khayelitsha. Early childhood development is defined as the “processes by which children from birth to nine years grow and thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, morally and socially.” (Education White Paper March 1995)
Our vision
Our vision is that every child in Khayelitsha has the opportunity to develop to his or her full potential in a safe, stimulating and loving environment. We see the parents, caregivers, community members and preschool teachers in Khayelitsha being trained and supported to provide such an environment.
Our mission
Sikhula Sonke offers quality early childhood development training and support to the parents, caregivers and pre-school teachers of young children in the Khayelitsha township of Cape Town, South Africa.
Our programmes include:
Coaching and support for ECD practitioners, within the context of their pre-schools and on-site at the Harare library resource centre.
Training and support for families and caregivers in their homes and by using community spaces - the Family and Community Motivator (FCM) Programme.
Community outreach projects - in specific communities in Khayeltisha, and for children who do not go to pre-school
Toy library services, taking toys and learning to communities who do not have toys, facilitators, educators and play facilities available.
Fatherhood network - supporting fathers to be active participants in their young children's lives.
Our programmes include:
Coaching and support for ECD practitioners, within the context of their pre-schools and on-site at the Harare library resource centre.
Training and support for families and caregivers in their homes and by using community spaces - the Family and Community Motivator (FCM) Programme.
Community outreach projects - in specific communities in Khayeltisha, and for children who do not go to pre-school
Toy library services, taking toys and learning to communities who do not have toys, facilitators, educators and play facilities available.
Fatherhood network - supporting fathers to be active participants in their young children's lives.
Beliefs that guide the work we do
- We believe that all children have the right to be loved, cared for and developed physically, intellectually, emotionally, morally and socially.
- We believe that women are uniquely placed to protect and enforce the rights of children - and that women need to be supported, encouraged, and equipped with the necessary skills to do so.
- We believe that by nurturing and building our children, we nurture and build our nation.
- We believe that all parents and caregivers of young children should be knowledgeable about early childhood development so that they can play an active role in nurturing and enhancing the development of the children in their care.
- We believe that our united efforts will significantly and positively impact on the future of our young children and afford them the opportunity to realise their potential, and in so doing, to secure the future of our country.
How Sikhula Sonke started
In the eighties and nineties Khayelitsha’s communities were in turmoil and there was a dire need for proper housing, in addition to health and educational facilities. In the early 1990’s Claremont Methodist Church responded to these needs. The church established its Social Impact Ministry and began building houses in the Harare area of Khayelitsha. At this time the plight of young, unschooled and vulnerable children became apparent to members of the church who were working in the township, and Sikhula Sonke came into being with the specific purpose of addressing these needs. Now, over 20 years later, Khayelitsha remains one of the 22 identified Presidential Poverty nodes in South Africa, and we remain focused on seeing this community empowered.
