Masikhule's Mandela Day initiative bears fruit
The Masikhule team pictured above with some of the knitted items, in the back from left, are Karen Bufé, Jeanine Andro, Anne Pedersen, founding director Léanne Keet, Michaela Fortuin and Amanda Bangani. In the front from left, are Sandy Immelman, and Shijham Majiedt.
Image: Else de Jong
Masikhule, a local non-profit that trains educators in Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Somerset West, has been working with ECD Centres in the marginalised communities of the Helderberg for 20 years, enhancing their training with mentorship, nutrition, early intervention, an online app, and resources for these centres.
Every Mandela Day, they host Cast On 4 Kids and invite people to join them for 67 minutes to knit, crochet, or cover books for the thousands of little children in the ECD Centres they work with.
On Friday, July 18, many people and organisations joined the NPO to drop off their contributions, which included hundreds of beanies, blankets, and heaps of lovely warm scarves and jerseys for children aged 3 months to 5 years old – and to knit, cover children’s books, or help with sorting and packing.
The Masikhule team expressed their sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone who participated and contributed – their arms and hearts are full.
They are busy now distributing the generous winter goodies to 25 ECD Centres, where hundreds of little ones will appreciate the warmth provided.