David and I are reading “The Social Animal” by David Brooks at the moment. The first few chapters of the story (that is filled with social science research) confirms again and again the importance of early childhood stimulation for brain development. Asidlale (“Let’s Play” in isiZulu) is a programme iThemba started in order to equip early childhood care-givers in local creches (daycare/preschool centers) to stimulate and educate the children. Local volunteers from the Hilton community meet weekly with these creche teachers (many of whom have had no ECD training) and mentor them through a curriculum. iThemba recently received funding to conduct an assessment of these teachers. I wrote an article about it for the iThemba blog, which you should read right here! While I am not directly involved with Asidlale, I do often take teams to volunteer in these creches and get to be a part of the classroom fun for a while!
Please pray for these teachers who have such caring hearts. Many teachers take children home to keep looking after them when the creche officially closes for the day. Pray for the families of these children. At one creche there are over 80 children ranging from 1 year to 5 years old. Out of all of those children, just 3 come from two-parent homes. It is very difficult for a single, working parent to devote the time and attention that these young kids need.
Stephanie Ebert 
Good for you for reading the book. I think Ann & David just read it.
Wow, those are awful figures….there are over 80 children ranging from 1 year to 5 years old. Out of all of those children, just 3 come from two-parent homes.
Sounds like a disaster. A complete breakdown of the family. What can be done to solve that problem? If that isn’t fixed, nothing will improve. Kids born into poverty usually grow up to be in poverty themselves.
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Yes, it seems rather overwhelming a lot of the time! iThemba’s approach is to focus on the kids and teens and give them healthy role models so that hopefully even without the support of two parents they will make better choices, break the cycle, and do better for their own kids. But I guess we won’t see if we’ve really made an impact for another 15 years or so, when these kids grow up and we see the choices they make.
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