Zero2Five took a stand against poverty, educational disparities, and childcare challenges in underserved KZN communities during Women’s Month.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (29 August 2024) – Poverty, unemployment and limited education remain rife in many South African communities, with women and children bearing the brunt of this undeserved struggle.
Zero2Five Trust, a Durban-based organisation, is making a significant impact on the lives of women and children in KZN’s rural communities.
This Women’s Month, the trust decided to make a meaningful impact on the lives of many women caring for children in rural and township communities. By focusing on early childhood development (ECD), the trust addressed the intertwined issues of poverty, unemployment, and limited educational opportunities.
Leading up to Zero2Five Trust’s 10th anniversary in October, they sought to improve the standard of ECD, which lays an important educational foundation and upskills the women who are caring for little ones in these communities.
Women in the rural and township economies are more vulnerable to poverty and unemployment, according to Julika Falconer, CEO of Durban-based Zero2Five Trust.
Working within these communities, she says poverty is a daily reality and impacts the fact that many children do not receive the education needed to lift them out of the growing pool of unemployed young people.
Instead of hosting an elaborate party, the trust and its supporters and funders decided to celebrate its milestone anniversary with the launch of its Amplify Rural ECD campaign, offering 100 bursaries to rural ECD practitioners and providing educational resources to many under-resourced ECD centres.
“In May and June 2024, we managed to onboard 66 ECD practitioners from rural areas near Bergville (uThukela) and Eshowe (King Cethswayo) to do the Legacy Level 4 ECD Training programme before the final cutoff date of 30 June for the bursary campaign,” Falconer explained.
Zero2Five has also trained 150 ECD practitioners from rural KZN for the Wordworks “Little Stars” programme and its Readers are Leaders campaign. These group workshops took place in Estcourt and Eshowe.
A grateful beneficiary of the campaign, Siphelele Msimango from Yamkela Crèche at Ntumen, uMlalazi said the Zero2five has changed their lives.
“We are now entering doors that we never thought we would when it comes to nutrition, hygiene, security, academics and self-wellness. I can work with all kinds of children and parents now.
“They have taught me how to work with parents who are not cooperating and deal with rejection positively. Learning groups assisted me in upgrading my skills by working in teams and sharing ideas with others.”
Noxolo Mazibuko from Lunga Creche in Bergville (Okhahlamba) shared that her school has significantly benefitted from the return of a staff member who recently completed the NQF level 4 first 2 modules.
Thembi Radebe from Princess Magogo Bergville Okhahlamba said that Zero2five has helped with breakfast, learning resources, books and training.
Thuleleni Zungu from Isibani Creche in Winterton added:
“This programme has helped me to become a better practitioner. It has really changed how I approach my work. Level 4 equips teachers with skills and knowledge. I’m now able to plan and prepare a broad phase learning environment and create stimulating activities that meet the holistic needs of all children.”
To find out more about Zero2Five’s projects or find out how to get involved, visit www.zero2five.org.za or email enquiries@zero2five.org.za
Sources: Zero2Five Trust
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