Owner over the moon at new creche

Cawe says children enjoy the playground and toys

It was all smiles and excitement for young pre-scholars when in January 2015 Neliswa Cawe began the new year with not much but a dream to start a successful business.

That same month Early Birds Day-Care was opened at her home at Sakhasonke Village in Port Elizabeth.

Her operations rapidly grew to add a pre-school component but Cawe’s home became too small to operate a fast-growing early learning centre.

Last week, business principal Cawe, 41, was on cloud nine when Touch Africa, in conjunction with IRONMAN 4 the Kidz and Isuzu Motors SA, handed over the keys to a newly built crèche in Walmer township.

“I started the daycare services in my home with six kids and by the end of the year I had 30 kids registered and two additional staff members.

“My house is not that big, such that some activities we had to do at the community park which was not really ideal,” Cawe said.

She said the new facilities had all the equipment and space she needed for both education and recreational purposes.

“I am over the moon; I really cannot explain how happy I am about the new crèche.

“The kids are enjoying the playground and all the toys, some of them have never had their own toys to play with before.

“[I would like to thank] everyone who [contributed in making a difference] to the lives of the children in our area.”

Touch Africa trustee Mike Glover said the initiative was part of the Touch Africa’s outreach project.

“The Early Birds Day-Care is Touch Africa’s fourth project of this nature and we have no doubt that Neliswa’s new crèche will not only assist in early childhood development, but also become a beacon of hope in this impoverished community.”

Glover said Cawe was selected after an assigned team met crèche operators to choose the most suitable candidate.

The 70 square metre²² crèche building consists of a fully furnished classroom, a kitchen, bathrooms, and a veranda.

It is equipped with water tanks, swings and playground activities.

Port Elizabeth community members broadly added their bit by donating books and toys for the crèche.