The Early Learning Centre
In the village, we have begun to set up the Early Learning Centre. At first, the foundations of the new building had to be dug. Then, we needed to organize lots of stones, a load of sand and some bags of cement to actually lay the foundations. Mixing the cement is done by hand and is hard physical work!
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preparing the ground for the new hut - the dug-out foundations - Mike digging foundations |
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boys bringing stones for foundations - taking measurements for the rondavel |
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Maxwell, the builder, instructing the volunteers and helpers |
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Makosi carrying a 50kg cement bag - newly laid foundations - Mike pressing in the last few stones |
What is an Early Learning Centre?
The Early Learning Centre is for children from 3 - 6 years. It is a preparation for school, where the children learn a few basic things, but in a very playful way. In that age, children are extremely perceptive and it is best to start teaching them when their channels are wide open. It aims to stimulate the childrens mental and creative capacities to prepare them for school.
Early Learning Centre in Manzamnyama Village
The Early Learning Centre is situated on a hilltop in the village of Manzamnyama, at a central location easy to reach from different directions. It will be a double story rondavel, 8m in diameter, where the downstairs room will be used as a classroom for the children and the upper story, under the roof, as an office or storage space.
the building site
We are planning to bring in volunteers for the teaching programms. Minimum time required is 6 months. External teachers (volunteers) will be paired up with local women for skills transfer, so that the locals can keep up the teaching programm even when there are no volunteers available to help them. If you are interested in running a teaching programm for an Early Learning Centre, please contact us: volunteer@mpame.co.za.