Noncedo Educare Center

The history of the Early Childhood Development side of SAEP is only 1/3 as long as the rest of the program. Its conception is a rather beautiful tale of relationships and connections, as well as responding to a need. In 2003, a young man who was enrolled in the SAEP high school tutoring program turned to Norton and Jane for help with his mother’s crèche. The crèche had been open for many years, but was still housed in a leaky shack, was receiving no state subsidy, and the principal and her husband more often than not were purchasing food for the children out of their own pockets. At that time, the fees were R30 per month (about $4) and, in spite of the relatively low cost, many parents frequently couldn’t pay them.

The difference that SAEP has made for this crèche in just five years is remarkable. Very soon after beginning their journey together, SAEP was able to obtain two containers (large metal shipping containers) for Noncedo. Within the year, a new building was constructed. Now, this once small shack is a sprawling educare center with a permanent structure divided into two rooms, and the two containers serving as additional classrooms. Noncedo hasn’t completed its journey, but its progress is significant and remarkable.

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mama Bolesi and hearing her story first hand. Again, the most noteworthy element of this interview was not the physical improvements to the crèche, but the sense of pride and self-confidence that Mama Bolesi had in her crèche. Part of my interview is about the relationship between SAEP and the individual crèches. I set up this part of the interview by describing SAEP and the crèches as friends—most of the time, things go smoothly with your friends, that’s why they are friends, but sometime there are challenges and difficulties in a relationship. I ask the principals to think carefully about both aspects of their relationship with SAEP and offer constructive feedback. Mama Bolesi absolutely refused to say anything the least bit critical of SAEP. She said that SAEP was more of a sister and that she loved her sister. I replied that even siblings could be frustrating or annoying sometimes, but it was no use, she wouldn’t say anything that wasn’t glowing. C’est la vie!

Prior to Mama Bolesi’s arrival at the crèche, I got to play with the little bitties (one to two year-olds). Two in particular were very affectionate and I got my first kiss from a child, her name is Angel. Oh how we played! See, everybody needs little ones to play with!

I should also add that there is a new (two-week) addition to the SAEP family. Her name is Nina, and I’m quite impressed. Nina works at NYU in fundraising and she is sharing her expertise with SAEP. She spent the morning with me observing and collecting data. I’ve had a very nice time getting to know her and thinking about extended fundraising efforts for SAEP. [See my New Button! post—she is directly responsible and for that matter, you can see her blog as well under Additional Blogs!]

Another lovely day at work for SAEP! I will also add that I was in a far better mood after my brilliant layering decisions in the morning. I wore (and have subsequently worn each day since) my pajama pants under my pants, a long sleeve t-shirt, a short sleeve t-shirt, a sweatshirt, and my Springbok zip-up sweatshirt. Four layers on top and an addition flannel layer on bottom have finally kept me comfortable in spite of the weather. Hooray!

Always,

Sarah