INTRODUCTION AND FACTS
The Peacock Educare Centre is situated in Masiphumelele, (pronounced 'Muh si poom uh LEH leh' with the accent on the second last le) formerly known as 'Site 5' - a 'township' of about 25 000 primarily Xhosa people. It is in the centre of the Cape Peninsula, between Noordhoek and Kommetjie, two fairly affluent areas in the greater Cape Town area, South Africa.
Unemployment is very high and working wages are very low.
The Xhosa are Mandela's tribe and, like Madiba, most Xhosa people originate from the Eastern Cape - a rural area some 600 miles to the east.
Masiphumelele has its own primary and secondary school, library, clinic, churches and various other amenities. There are about 4 day care centres, but this one is the most (perhaps only) affordable one for the parents of the kids who attend.
The Peacock Educare Centre was started and is run by Noluntu Thelma Yose (above with day care graduate photo! done by a local church).
Noluntu has been providing this service to poor working parents (many are single mothers) since 1997.
My colleague, Sally De Jager & I have been visiting Peacock and supporting it through tour funds and individual donations from tourists on the walking & cycling township tours since 2003. Noluntu is an incredible woman - really great with all those little kids - enthusiastically teaching them delightful songs and dances and keeping them all well behaved. Keeping them all fed each day is often a challenge and she often rushes out to buy food when we bring our contributions during visits with tourists.
She has from time to time received other contributions, but has not been able to expand or improve the grounds or the creche room. It is currently in a corrugated iron shack of about 12 x 20 feet - and has a very saggy roof.
See Judd's photos in July blog.
She may be ledgible for government grants if her building meets their standards, has the correct quota of children (she needs about 3 rooms that size for 48 kids) and little rest rooms for the kids, etc. She would also receive food for the kids from the Valley Development project if they approved of the facilities.
She has a certificate in Leadership, Management and Organising Skills from the Centre for early childhood development.
Teachers are paid R500 a month (currently $50) and the fees paid by the parents of the kids are R90 ($9) for little kids and babies and R70 ($7) for the older kids (upto 6 years) per month.
There are up to 48 kids at the moment. This is an illegally high number and it is amazing that the Health Dept has not come around and closed it down for lack of space and facilities.
Yesterday, November 10 2008 I had a meeting with Noluntu, Sally, Henk (who is was very involved in the building of a day care in another township) and Charlotte, a qualified township tour guide who was our translator and lives very nearby. We explained that there are people who are keen to help finance and fund raise for the rebuilding of a better creche. We explained that we would still have to do some research and liase with the municipality, etc and fund raise for the costs and see what would be best and possible.
Noluntu was very pleased as she has been expressing a need to improve the building for years.
The property has running water, water borne sewage and electricity.
It does not have the required little kids toilets or wash basins. I think we would need 4 toilets and 2 wash basins. & a little kitchen.
Henk measured her property at 11x18 metres (approx 33x 60 ft) with an extra part that is free to be used as garden, but cannot be built on - 11x 5m within the perimeter fence, at the front of the property. The property is on the north west corner and has a street to the north with the main gate and another along the western side. See my rough sketch attached for a clearer idea. Facing North is ideal in southern Africa as we then get the winter sun.
Perhaps the best will be to have that 5x11 garden and then 9x11 for the school (perhaps double story like the one Henk has built in Khayalitsha township - see below for pictures of that fantastic project!) and then the other 9x11 for Nuluntu's private residence at the back with a side gate on the western boundary.
Perhaps the school will be 99m2 if a single story and 198 m2 if double. Henk & co have built the Khayalitsha creche with a wooden frame and sand bags which provide great insulation and are quick & easy. He has trained local guys to build and manage the building there and they have completed the creche, B&B and are now building a backpackers! All the same structure and all double story to make the most of the space. They also have great views!
He says the building costs approx R2000 - R3000 per m2 including the building using locals. He is very involved initially to get the structure up and train local people, but then they take over and do the plumbing etc etc (he finds local people who already have expertise in that). In this way more people in the community are employed and involved and the community give their blessing. So, it looks like perhaps we are looking at between $20 000 and $30 000 for a single story and $40 000 & $60 000 for a double story, although I would think that the upper story would be cheaper as only one roof is necessary.
In January I will also get quotes of brick ( more fire-proof) and also look into building just one room plus bathroom and kitchenette initially - with a view to beeing able to expand to 2 or 4 rooms later. Sometimes it is easier to get further funding if one can show the project is on the go and prove the positive spin-offs such as work for local builders, better access to food aid for the kids and extra training for teachers.
I am keen to put in a garden with perhaps a big sand pit and indigenous trees, shrubs and a vegie patch with potatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, cabbage and some fruit trees.
Also a hand made wooden jungle gym ( we have some awesome local ones - maybe they will sponsor one here or teach us to build it ourselves) & a sand pit with local beach sand. (Cheap and easy)
I am also very willing to do what fund-raising & sponsorship I can and perhaps a sponsored event like a long walk or cycle or something. I can also send over some wonderful African crafts for raffles/ sale, etc etc for fundraising by those of you who are keen.
I will report back after each meeting and development. Suggestions and ideas are welcome.
As Charlotte always says at the beginning of a walking tour of 'Masi P': 'Masiphumelele' means "We will succeed" and also "Success". Please let me know of anyone else you think would be interested.
Best,
Vanessa
African Essence Treks & Safaris
written 11 November 2008
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