Starting Tholana Educare Centre- South Africa

Building Foundations. Creating Connections.

16 years ago I met Thola. We were both volunteers at an NGO in South Africa, she was a local and I was a foreigner. The only thing we had in common was our love for kids, yet somehow we broke every language and cultural barrier and ended up sharing a dream and friendship that would largely dictate the course of our lives. 

Today, we are starting Tholana, an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre providing quality care and education for children 6 months to 4 years old in Bhekulwandle, South Africa.  We aim to build solid foundations for every child to discover, grow and succeed in primary school and beyond.

“By the time a child enters grade one, the foundations for success are already in place” (UNICEF, 2019).

Both UNICEF and the World Health Organization state ECD as a priority area of work, understanding that “this is the period in life when the brain develops most rapidly and has a high capacity for change, and the foundation is laid for health and wellbeing throughout life” (WHO, 2018). ECD has also been recognized in the global Sustainable Development Goals, target 4.2 which states “By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.” Less than half of South Africa’s children attend early childhood education.

Our vision for Tholana (meaning 'connecting' in Zulu) includes growing to have significant influence in the wider development of the community, and partnering with current preschools in the area to raise the standard of care in Bhekulwandle.

Today we start small, beginning with a few children in Thola's home, registering as a non-profit organization and assembling a Board of great local leaders. We've also managed to get basic supplies and clear the land behind her house, in preparation for a building to be put in place. We need assistance with these start up costs including supplies, landscaping, building materials and meals for the children. While Tholana aims to be self-sustaining in the future, the current low admission fees will not cover the costs required to begin a quality centre. 

We ask that you join us in this dream. Thank you for taking the time to read through and consider supporting Tholana! Please contact me for more information. Share as you please.