Training for the project is facilitated by trained volunteers called Abahambi (ECD practitioners) who visit children at home and run learning through play sessions using educational toys and equipment from a toy library established in the community. They also spend time sharing ideas and information with caregivers who are mostly elderly gogos by supporting and assisting them to access the necessary documents so that they can receive social grants.
The 12 Abahambi are dedicated to improving the community and the lives of the children who live in the area. Children who access ECD services and receive early intellectual stimulation tend to be enrolled in school timeously, have improved nutrition and health, significantly improved relationships between adults and children, lower incidence of violent discipline and an improvement in social behaviour.
The impact that LETCEE has had on the community is tangible. Almost all the families in the Mbuba area have received their documents and are registered for grants. Both children and adults look forward to the Abahambi visits where playing and learning is encouraged at home.
"Organisations like LETCEE illustrate that education at a young age can make a positive difference in the lives of children. Not only does it stimulates thinking, but also encourages learning and development, which is key in today's world," said Pearl Mphuthi, FNB fund manager.
Through LETCEE, children who would otherwise have no early learning opportunities now receive good quality grounding for schools and they grow up in an environment that nurtures and protects them. The training also encourages their personal development and growth. Having the Abahambi walking around the community and working closely with leadership encourages the community to value early education for young children. The toy library also creates a safe, stimulating environment for all the children in the community to enjoy.
The programme gives children a solid foundation for their education and helps mitigate issues like poverty, illness and poor access to services. "Everything we do is based on two African adages: "Every child is my child" and "It takes a village to raise a child". Each of us has a responsibility to encourage and support each parent in each village in each community, so that every child is cared for and is given the best possible opportunities," said Mary James, director of LETCEE.
A community volunteer said that "there was a line between children who go to school and those who stay at home, the project has erased that line". However, despite efforts to encourage children to go to school, many caregivers and parents still do not consider ECD a priority.
The Abahambi undergo accredited training in ECD topics and also receive attendance certificates for training that they complete e.g. a course in the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses; the International Children's Development Programme and so forth.
"Education is a priority for all and we need to encourage both children and adults to learn. Through initiatives like LETCEE we hope that communities will take active steps in combating illiteracy and encourage learning and development," concluded Mphuthi.
LETCEE provides family-based ECD services to children in four communities in the Umvoti area of the Umzinyathi district municipality.
