What happened in 2017

In January Chic Mamas funded a Waste2Toys Numeracy Workshop for rural teachers & caregivers. This is a new addition to the wonderful input offered by Singakwenza and covers crucial foundational learning. Project Hope has been the main focus for 2017. After 2 years of careful assessment, it was decided that we would build a preschool and crèche for the children of House of Hope, which is based in an impoverished part of Clermont, a township bordering Westville and Pinetown. Projects of this nature involve working directly with community leaders to obtain consent and to secure land on which to establish the facility. We have been fortunate to have the support of both the local ward Councillor and the Community Committee members. The installation began in earnest in July 2017 and funds raised from garment sales covered costs of a 12 meter converted container & security fencing. Outstanding components such as a water harvesting system, ablutions and a playground needed to be in place before the preschool could begin functioning. Thankfully SA Home Loans came on board and as part of their CSI commitment, provided a jungle gym, sandpits and trees, transforming barren land into a wonderful playground. The rainwater harvesting system was completed in time to allow for a 2017 opening of House of Hope. A donation of installed gutters by Alugant has made the water harvesting an affordable reality. Sanitech kindly donated the use of 2 Porta Loos to act as ablutions until such time as waterless loos could be installed. Chic Mamas continued to walk alongside & support Umzamo Preschool & Crèche. After only 2 years, Umzamo requires further expansion as the community recognises the value of ECD & the quality input these children receive. The supervisor of Umzamo, Nomusa Dlungwana, is thriving in her second year of ECD teacher training at Caversham Training Institute, funded by Chic Mamas. Both preschools held their first graduations in November 2017.