Children and teachers of a Franschhoek preschool have moved into a brand-new facility thanks to the support of the continent’s largest humanitarian and development organisation, ForAfrika.
Acorn Christian Daycare Centre, an arm of Lord’s Acre Christian Community Centre in Groendal, officially moved into its new premises on Friday 16 February. This after the day-care, which attends to the developmental and educational needs of 78 children from the local community, was selected as a beneficiary by ForAfrika.
The NGO was founded as JAM International by Peter Pretorius in 1984 and today operates in eight African countries. “We began working with communities in South Africa in 2005, addressing our nation’s unique needs,” explained Adel Terblanche, ForAfrika development officer in the Western Cape.
“ForAfrika South Africa operates in all nine provinces, impacting approximately 120 000 children in 3 000 early childhood development centres. ForAfrika has been actively involved in the Franschhoek community since 2014, with over 17 centres benefiting from For Afrika’s provision of nutritional benefits. These breakfasts contains 75% of a child’s daily nutritional needs, and reaches a total of 600 individuals in Franschhoek.”
The Acorns construction project started last October and the completed structure was handed over this month. The school was selected as a worthy beneficiary after the NGO conducted a needs assessment process in vulnerable committees, Terblanche explained.
“They did not have a formal structure to teach the 78 children enrolled in their centre,” she added.
“Previously they had an old wooden structure with a leaking roof, loose electrical wires and no proper kitchen or ablution facilities. The classrooms were small with limited resources.”
The project saw construction of four new classrooms, a kitchen, two toilets for boys, two toilets for girls, an adult toilet, a playground with a large sandpit and new jungle gym, the planting of a small vegetable garden, installation of electrical wiring, the erection of a shade net for cover in summer and winter, and the installation of a 2 750 F water tank to ensure water security.
A group of Swiss volunteers played a vital part in making the facility a reality, even rolling up their sleeves in the last week to paint and beautify the building.
Craig Kudita, marketing and communications specialist at ForAfrika, said the volunteers from Schweiz ForAfrika have been part of the makeover projects since 2009. They also hosted fundraising initiatives in Switzerland to cover all costs.
Acorns principal Anna Franse was overwhelmed and grateful to everyone involved in making the new facility a reality. “I want to thank our Heavenly Father for making this day possible, as well as all the builders, investors and supporters,” she said.
“A few years ago, we couldn’t have dreamt that this would be possible. We are truly honoured that you came to make this possible, because we believe that we cannot fully develop our children to be school-ready, if we cannot do it in a safe and secure place. We are now moving from shacks into this beautiful building. To the ForAfrika team: Wow! You have done an amazing job.”
Patricia Mntuyedwa, chairperson of the Franschhoek ECD Forum and principal of Butterfly Educare, shared in the joy of every teacher and child at the handover. “It is every principal’s dream to have a beautiful space with adequate equipment to mould the young minds of the future,” she expressed.
“This is a blessing for any ECD centre, and this new facility is celebrated by every ECD centre in Franschhoek.”
ForAfrika will continue to support the Acorns’ teachers and children, conducting monthly monitoring sessions that focus on measuring the little one’s growth to ensure positive development. “Additionally, teachers will receive training and support in nutrition as well as in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene practices,” Kudita added.
“This was an important initiative for ForAfrika, because it aligns with our overarching vision of seeing Africa thrive, and this journey begins with our children. We firmly believe that when children receive adequate care and education, the path to a brighter future is illuminated. We won’t stop working until everyone on our continent has the resources they need to thrive.”
