Did you know that the first five years are the most important in a child’s life? It’s when they develop the foundation for language, reasoning, problem solving, behaviour, social skills and emotional health. And sadly, children who lack early opportunities to play and learn never catch up. They remain at a disadvantage for the rest of their lives.

We can’t allow this to happen. With your generous help, we can ensure that little ones from disadvantaged backgrounds benefit from the outstanding Early Childhood Development programmes at our own Funda Ngo Thando (which means ‘learn with love’) Centre.

Please will you give a child this precious gift? The opportunity to play with sand and water … learn the names of animals in picture books … create streaks of different colours with fat crayons … cut around shapes, listen to stories, and sing actions songs like The Hokey Pokey together. Because, while they’re having fun, they’re also learning gross and fine motor skills, counting, vocabulary, listening and memory skills, concentration, balance and co-ordination. So they’ll be able to start ‘big school’ on the same footing as children from more privileged families.

Some of our children’s parents are single moms, street vendors, or domestic workers who earn very little. So, we offer discounted rates on a means test basis. But, as a non-profit organisation, that leaves us struggling to provide the food, facilities and programmes these children need and deserve. Unless friends like you will help.

Right now we’re in desperate need of fresh river sand for the sandpit, crayons, glue and Hoola hoops, as well and mattresses for nap time. We also need to make sure the kids start each day with all the energy they need. That means providing Jungle oats and fresh milk for breakfast, as well as necessities like toilet paper and cleaning materials. Any amount you can donate today will make all the difference.

Not only in providing an outstanding foundation for early learning, but for creating awareness as well. When any of our teachers are away at training workshops, we ask stay-at-home or unemployed moms to fill in at Funda Ngo Thando. This has inspired one of the moms to enrol in an Early Childhood Development course. She says she never thought there was so much a child could learn in one day, by just playing.

So please, will you help provide learning through play for another little one today?