On Friday 5 April 2019, we held the ECD Open Day at Monwabisi Park Neighbourhood Centre in Khayelitsha. It was a day filled with song, laughter and speeches in celebration and recognition of our ECDforAll model and team.
Our ECDforAll model adopts a transdisciplinary approach, encouraging the collaboration of several disciplines in order to provide the services and resources essential for the proper development of a child. This open day thus also acknowledged VPUU’s partnership with The Unlimited Child, JAM SA, the Western Cape Department of Health and the Western Cape Department of Social Development in promoting Early Childhood Development. Consequently, speakers from these partnerships spoke about the importance of safety, healthy nutrition and hygiene on the development of young children.
Zikhona Mnyaiza from Joint Aid Management (JAM)
Milicent February (left) from the Provincial Department of Health
An Environmental Health officer addresses the crowds
One of the highlights of the day was the awarding of certificates for the completion of training. Our ECD team received certificates and toolkits for the Unlimited Child Curriculum training as well as first aid kits and certificates for an accredited First Aid training through the Medical Education Centre. These trainings provide valuable support to the ECD centres in delivering a quality, holistic programme.
ECD staff with their new Unlimited Child toolkits
ECD staff proudly holding their First Aid training certificates
Ten ECD centres who applied to VPUU’s Social Development Fund (SDF) received their ECD resources. Moreover, these recipients have committed to sponsoring a child for free for a year at their centres!
SDF sponsored resources for early childhood development
Over and above the singing and ululations of the crowd, the day also featured performances by the talented KTC group. An SDF-funded youth acapella group from Harare, Khayelitsha, they graced us with their moving and harmonious songs, wowing the crowds.
The talented youth acapella group, KTC, bringing us beautiful vocal harmonies
Finally, if you love what we’re doing and would like to get involved or support the work we’re doing with Early Childhood Development in informal settlements in the Western Cape, you can get in touch with our ECD programme lead, Fathima Rawat.
