David Thorrington-Smith speaking on behalf of the Donor, Akhona Sikhakhane MCPT Manager, Steuart Pennington MCPT Trustee and Khulakahle project manager
June 7th was a happy day for the Michaelhouse Community as the Khulakahle ECD Centre was officially opened in Zenzane Village where many of our staff reside. It will serve +/- 50 2-3 year-olds as they ready themselves for Primary School. It is well known that the 1000 days of Pre-schooling where essential numeracy, literacy, motor and social skills are developed is a critical component for ongoing education, the absence of which will result in considerable learning disadvantage and difficulty.
MCPT in recent times has expanded its reach to include seven ECD centres that serve the 10 primary and 6 secondary schools in our ‘footprint’. Until recently Zenzane Village where Asithuthuke Primary and Secondary schools are located had no viable ECD centre.
And sadly, currently Lions River has no Centre with most toddlers staying at home or being taxi’d to Howick or Lidgetton.
The Michaelhouse Way
Steuart Pennington (’68) arranged funding to convert an unused building into a state-of-the-art ECD Centre engaging the community in the refurbishment exercise. The Farfield boys painted the pillars, Old Boys Nick Rogers and Bongani Phakathi donated the Jungle Gym and David Thorrington-Smith representing the donor, the Eric Thorrington-Smith Family Trust, officially cutting the ribbon and pronouncing the KhulaKahle (Grow Safely) Centre open as the Zenzane community gathered for celebratory tea and sandwiches. A happy occasion.
Should you wish to assist with our endeavours to raise the funding for an ECD Centre in Lions River for the 50-60 kids who currently stay at home or make difficult alternative arrangements, please contact Akhona Sikhakhane at akhsik@michaelhouse.org.
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