Education Programmes for Kids &Teachers, Cape Town

Thank you so much for supporting ORT SA CAPE's education programmes through CHW"s page on GlobalGiving!

 

Your help has allowed teachers and educators to deliver a higher quality of education to children in Cape Town and the surrounding areas. In addition, your support has also gone towards assisting Principals of Early Education Centres (ECDs) to learn how to make their centres sustainable, which means that the children will benefit greatly from a good and stable educational environment right from the start. 

 

Below is an update from Bev at ORT SA CAPE on recent activities and how you have been helping:

 

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Together, we can build a future full of HOPE, OPPORTUNITY, and EDUCATION for all.

At ORT SA CAPE, we believe that every child deserves access to quality education that is engaging, relevant, and geared towards the future. As a long-standing education NGO [non-governmental organisation], our approach is rooted in the belief that meaningful learning begins with curiosity, is strengthened through relationships, and is sustained through intentional support for educators.

We design and deliver training programmes that equip teachers with the skills, confidence, and tools they need to create inclusive, joyful, and developmentally appropriate learning environments, particularly in under-resourced communities. Our work spans leadership development, early learning, social-emotional growth, and digital skills, always grounded in the realities of the South African context.

Our mission is simple yet profound: Creating hope through education by equipping and empowering individuals through training, work experience, support, and networking.

 

Learning through play:

Part of [the donation from CHW's supporters] was allocated towards our Purposeful Play Workshop held on 13 February 2026. A total of 37 teachers attended this workshop, held at the ORT SA CAPE training facility. A second workshop took place on 6th March 2026. During these workshops, teachers were taken through a playful learning journey. They are invited to explore the opportunities presented when using Lego as a learning tool, to learn how to unlock skills through play.

For play based learning to be effective, educators need the tools, knowledge and confidence to do it well. That is why our teacher training programmes place strong emphasis on integrating play meaningfully into everyday teaching. Teachers leave with the insight that playful learning is powerful learning. Every brick built supports a child’s foundation for lifelong learning.

Every participating teacher receives a LEGO DUPLO Play Box, valued at 8,000 rand, ensuring that the training translates directly into enriched daily practice for children. The combination of specialist training plus high-quality resources represents a sustainable and unique investment in both teacher capacity and learner outcomes.

 

Principal Networking: enhancing personal and professional development:

We strengthen ECD leadership by encouraging principals to see themselves not only as educators, but also as business leaders of sustainable centres. This dual focus bridges the gap between pedagogy and enterprise, equipping principals to lead with both educational excellence and operational strength. Our approach combines bi-monthly networking, peer learning and professional development sessions.

The programme demonstrates that stronger leadership results in higher-quality teaching, more resilient ECD centres, and communities that are empowered through education. Part of the donation from CHW was allocated towards our principal networking session, held on 25th February 2026. 48 principals attended the session with the theme - The Titanic Effect – Steering Your ECD Through Risk and Uncertainty.

Using the Titanic disaster as a learning framework, this session helped principals identify and address key risks that could impact the sustainability of their centres. Together, they examined common operational “icebergs” such as funding delays, staff shortages, compliance pressures and fluctuating enrolment. Principals then developed proactive plans to strengthen resilience, improve preparedness, and support ongoing problem-solving. The session also reinforced peer support within the network as a practical source of guidance and accountability.

 

Early Childhood Development (ECD) Hubs of Excellence:

We are proud to announce the launch of our ECD Hubs of Educational Excellence programme, a transformative 20-month capacity-building initiative for ECD centres. The programme's focus is to strengthen ECD centres to become compliant, well-managed, and better equipped to deliver quality early learning. Through comprehensive training, mentorship, resources, and peer support networks, we aim to improve outcomes for children, teachers, and the broader community. Our first two hubs were launched in December 2025 and 20 ECD centres will be part of our pilot programme.

 

Random Acts of Kindness Day | 17 February:

Random Acts of Kindness Day, founded in 1995, encourages us to spread joy and positivity through small, unexpected gestures. Acts of kindness, given without expectation of reward, strengthen communities, lift morale and remind us of our shared humanity. At ORT SA CAPE, kindness is not reserved for one day. It is part of who we are.

Recently, our team partnered with Baphumelele Children’s Home in Khayelitsha, founded in 2001 as a place of safety for orphaned, abandoned, abused and neglected children. Today, Baphumelele provides residential care for up to 106 children, runs an Educare centre serving approximately 230 younger children, and supports the wider community through outreach initiatives.

Our team participated in a two-day programme that grew beyond its original scope, extending its impact across the children’s home and ensuring broader inclusion. The initiative promoted joy, belonging and shared humanity. Importantly, the children were empowered not only as recipients, but also as contributors to the experience.

Kindness creates connection. Connection builds stronger communities.

 

Launch of ORT SA CAPE new on-line learning initiative:

We recently launched our on-line Early Childhood Development Practitioner Occupational Certificate. A 15-month blended online and practical programme designed for practicing teachers who want to study while continuing to work. This will allow our beneficiaries to study from anywhere in South Africa.

 

At ORT SA CAPE, we believe in the transformative potential of education and are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to meaningful learning opportunities. Thank you to CHW for the continued support of our various education initiatives, allowing us to impact more lives and uplift communities.

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We are excited to share with you that GlobalGiving will soon be running its "Little By Little" campaign. Starting at 2pm (UK time) on 17 March, GlobalGiving will be matching donations of up to £38 by 50%, while matching funds remain. Any support would allow more teachers to receive training and be able to deliver a higher quality of education in the classroom! We would be so grateful with any help to share our project page during the Little by Little campaign. Any assistance will go extra far during that time!

A big thank you for being part of this project and for making sure that children in Cape Town get a good education!