ECD centre gets a facelift
THE HANDING over of the newly-renovated Helen Joseph ECD Centre in Galeshewe by Droogfontein Solar Power is expected to change the lives of the many young children who attend the small community centre, by making them happier, brighter and safer.
This small crèche, which cares for about 80 children from Galeshewe, has fallen victim to a spate of break-ins since 2020 and this, coupled with a lack of funding to manage the general upkeep and maintenance, has seen it fall into disrepair over the years.
The renovations form part of Droogfontein Solar Power’s socio-economic development programme, which has a keen focus on early childhood development.
The solar company has also provided improved security for the centre in the form of an alarm system and CCTV camera infrastructure.
The renovations include wearand-tear updates such as painting, tiling, repairs to doors and windows, and the installation of rainwater harvesting tanks to address the inadequate supply of water.
The centre’s need for infrastructure renovation was identified through a thorough needs analysis of the ECD facilities in the community areas of Riverton, Ritchie, Barkly West and Kimberley,
commissioned by the solar plant, to ensure that its economic development programme is well informed and meets the needs of its beneficiary communities.
The economic development specialist at Droogfontein Solar Power, Zuki Ndlela, said that media reports about the theft of important educational resources were “heartbreaking”.
“That was adding further financial strain to the centre. Sadly, this coincided with funding from the Department of Social Development ceasing, which exacerbated the centre’s struggles, which included inadequate water supply,” said Ndlela.
“Our priority is to create access to quality ECD in communities and assist with ECD centre compliance. We strive to ensure that ECD centres are not just day-care facilities, but centres of learning and development that are able to provide the best possible care,” he added.
Droogfontein Solar Power highlighted its commitment to funding ECD programmes as part of its partnership and support of the Department of Education.
This also includes funding for ECD practitioners from Riverton, Ritchie, Barkly West and Kimberley to upgrade their skills and qualifications.
In addition, ECD centre managers receive management and mentorship support and ECD centres are renovated and refurbished according to the needs analysis reports.