NOXOLO MIYA
The German Embassy has awarded non-profit organisation, Hamba Bamba Funda (HBF) funds to build a new modular classroom. Hamba Bamba Funda is a Zulu translation and means Move.Touch.Learn.
The organisation advocates for early childhood education and currently runs projects in Kliptown, Soweto and will now expand its services to a new location in Soweto.
HBF’s SETA-accredited Early Childhood Education programme starts from birth through to 2 years old. It gives children from disadvantaged backgrounds the stimulation and support needed for building a strong foundation that will last them a lifetime.
Monja Boonzaier, the founder and CEO of HBF said: “What we do here at HBF is nurture and enhance cognitive, psychological and social development skills while alleviating the adverse effects of childhood trauma. HBF is informed by Asset Based Community Development and Trauma specific approaches such as the work of Gabor Mate and Stephen Porges.”
“As nursery schools and day care centres are not part of the overall governmental education policy in South Africa, there is a need for change in the perception of these important institutions.”
On the financial funding from the German Embassy, Boonzaier said: “The Modular Training Centre is an important stepping stone for Hamba Bamba Funda to expand its unique Early Childhood Education Programme into a new location within Soweto, broaden and build a lifelong learning foundation for the the babies and train caregivers with a view of them being released into the sector, gaining employment and breaking the cycle of poverty.”
One of the mothers whose baby is a beneficiary of the programme, was overjoyed by the new classroom and said: “This new classroom is bigger, and will accommodate more young mothers like myself who want to learn skills of how to nurture and take better care of their babies.”
Renowned visual artist, Senzo Nhlapo, was the guest star at the launch. Nhlapo was tasked with painting the images for the classroom launch.
The Star