Exactly 20 years ago, in 1996, concern was expressed in Mitford village, Nthabethemba district, about the number of young children who were growing up without access to preschool education in a safe and secure learning environment…
Compiled by Fioni Murray – Khululeka Community Education Development Centre
Out of this concern was born Siseko Preschool which continued to operate from a corrugated iron shack that is not in a good condition, and does not receive any funding, but relies on the efforts of the staff who are committed to doing the best they can to provide the children in their care with a ‘bright start’ to their scholastic career.
Over the years various efforts were made to seek assistance to improve the structure with very little success as the parents in this area are economically depressed and unemployment is high. Very concerned about the welfare of all young children in the village some community members, under the supportive guidance of Chief Malefane, did not give up and in 2015 approached the Bright Kid Foundation who, in conjunction with General Electric, sponsored a fully furnished new classroom, a well equipped service centre and outdoor play structures for the children. It was with a sense of awe and wonder that the community witnessed the arrival of the two brightly decorated containers on the back of the large delivery vehicle rumbling into the village on the 25th February 2016. It brought daily life to an abrupt stop as people dropped what they were doing to watch the containers being carefully lowered and positioned correctly.
