Community collaboration leads to new early childhood development centre
A much-needed early childhood development (ECD) facility has been opened on the West Coast with the creation of the Nuwerus Crèche Activity Centre.
This initiative stems from the challenges highlighted during municipal public participation and ward committee engagements, which revealed that the Nuwerus Crèche was the only facility in the area still operating from an informal structure.
The vision is to establish an Activity Centre within the building of the adjacent Nuwerus Uniting Reformed Church.
Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell expressed his gratitude to the partners who contributed to the success of the project.
“When stakeholders work together, good things can happen.”
The Nuwerus Uniting Reformed Church made a room available for the ECD program to operate as an activity centre.
Santam generously donated R60,000 towards the renovation of the activity centre, as well as an additional R20,000 to support Diakonal Dienste’s programmes.
The Asla Foundation contributed R110,000 to help fit out the centre, while the Department of Correctional Services offered cleaning services.
Woodenscapes donated and installed a Jungle Gym for the children, and Vredendal Signs provided the signage for the facility. Additionally, the Department of Infrastructure contributed wash basins and a R2,500 donation from its sports committee to support the project.
Bredell highlighted that the project was coordinated through the Department of Local Government’s Citizen Interface Programme, which focuses on enhancing the interaction between rural communities and government bodies.
The programme aims to strengthen the resilience and self-sustainability of small rural communities, particularly in the Northern areas of the Matzikama Municipality, by ensuring access to essential government services and resources.
Since its inception, the Citizen Interface Programme has successfully implemented various projects, including revitalizing early childhood development centres in the area.
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za