Start a Preschool for 60 Children in South Africa

As the year draws to a close, we want to thank you again for your support of Siyabonga Early Childhood Development Centre. We are deeply appreciative of your generosity this year and for all you have done over the years to keep Siyabonga strong and able to grow. This year 114 children attended our early childhood education program and another 30 students attended our new grade R (kindergarten) class. As Nonthantha Khumalo Masileka, one of Siyabonga’s teachers, explains, because of partners like you, children in her community are learning, thriving, and graduating into new schools with confidence.

Your donations sustain the organization, uplift the team, and ensure children are surrounded by people who believe in them. In the words of Nomfundo Mthethwa, another staff member, a system of support often begins in the smallest and quietest moments. A warm meal, a gentle word, or a child encouraged to try again can shape the foundation children carry into tomorrow. For Nomfundo, caring for each child is the first ripple in a much bigger story. That ripple expands through Siyabonga’s full community of support. Board members, teachers, parents, and staff all hold pieces of the work, offering love, structure, encouragement, and connection. With your partnership, Siyabonga has the resources and stability needed to turn everyday moments of care into long-term impact for children and families.

Donor support strengthens the local system of care so Nonthantha and Nomfundo’s work can reach further– feeding children, supporting families, and building confidence and hope every day. Your contribution helps sustain these small moments that together create a stronger and more connected community. Care begins with one person. Your support helps the ripple grow.

As we look ahead to the new year, Siyabonga’s commitment to providing this vital service to their community is stronger than ever. Thank you for standing with us as we build the future together.

From all of us, we send our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes for the year ahead.

Helen

As we head into the last weeks of the school year, I wanted to share a couple of special things that have happened recently at Siyabonga. Overall everything is going smoothly, though as usual one of our biggest challenges is funding. Still, we were able to increase our enrollment this year to 124 children, and it has been fairly steady throughout the year – a good sign.

The children had the opportunity to visit a local cheese farm recently. There they learned all about the care of the animals and the making of cheese. The children had the opportunity to feed and milk the goats and to taste the cheese made there. The children really enjoyed seeing some of the animals they’ve been reading about in class – cows, geese, chickens, and goats - and getting the chance for a hands-on experience with them.

In September, we finally started the parenting program we have been wanting to do for years. We are meeting once a week, with 24 parents participating. Hopefully, we will be able to expand the number of parents we can accommodate next year. The intent of the program is to discuss early childhood development and how to support children’s development at home. We also plan to discuss the importance of good nutrition. Additionally, we hope the program will provide a space for parents to share their challenges and concerns and support each other. One of the major concerns that has been raised so far is the amount of crime in the community, something I was not really aware of. While the program is designed to educate and support the parents of our students, it will also help me to better understand the community we serve.

Thank you again for all your support! We could not do what we do without your help. I know all our staff, our board, and our parents are deeply grateful for your generosity and caring.

All the best,

Khethiwe