NCT Forestry’s support of Community Chest Durban dates back to 2013 and their generosity has increased in size and frequency as the needs of our province rise.
This year alone they have donated R50 000 worth of garden equipment and seeds to five NPO Impact Partners as well as jungle gyms, also valued at R50 000, to five Early Childhood Development centres in Community Chest’s care: Ihlombe, Genesis Pre-school, Sizamakonke Creche, Ithembalihle and Khulakahle Creche and Pre-school.
Ihlombe Early Childhood Development Centre is an NPO based in Ntuzuma Township that stimulates school readiness for children in Ntuzuma and surrounding areas. They understand the importance of developing children physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally, and cater for 106 children between the ages of one and six years old.
With a limited play area, the donated jungle gym was a good solution to save space as well as to assist with the children’s holistic development.
Genesis Pre-School was the second recipient of a jungle gym and a sand pit. They are based in Molweni and benefit children from birth to four years. The children are enjoying the new apparatus and developing their gross motor skills and hand and eye coordination at the same time.
Sizamakonke Creche in Verulam accommodates children from different backgrounds, many of whom would not have been exposed to education prior to Grade 1 if the creche hadn’t opened its doors.
It has been proven that significant social, physical and mental development takes place before the age of five and those who are exposed to an educational environment with routines and social engagement flourish at school and beyond.
Seventy children between the ages of four months and five years are enrolled in the school this year. They are extremely grateful to NCT Forestry and Community Chest for the jungle gym donation.
iThembalihle operates in Hammarsdale and provides preschool education. Their primary objective is to provide stimulating programmes that will promote each child’s physical, social and intellectual development.
The organisation accommodates 58 children between the ages of one and five. The donated jungle gym is playing a vital role in helping Ithembalihle fulfil its objective of developing children physically.
The last receipt of a much-needed and much-appreciated jungle gym was Khulakahle Creche and Pre-School in Cato Manor. They provide pre-school education to 63 children between the ages of three and six years old from Cato Manor and surrounding areas.
Thanks to NCT Forestry and Community Chest they were able to replace their old, rusty and unusable jungle gym with a bright, shiny, new one!