Linky Nkuna was born and raised in Justicia, near Singita Sabi Sand, and started her career in education. She is now the Programme Manager for Singita Lowveld Trust’s (SLT) community programmes. Today we are zooming in on one of the SLT’s programmes, Early Childhood Development (ECD), and the 17 centres it supports in communities surrounding Singita’s lodges in South Africa. Linky chats to Elsa Pallett (Marketing Manager for SLT) about the superstar, Frank Makwakwa, and the Practitioners who are driven by their love for children, and all the ways that the SLT adds value for 1,700 children and 70+ Practitioners.



Linky believes the foundations of a child’s education is between the ages 0-5 years old. As if it’s a house, the ECD centres are starting at the foundation. She wants to give back in a more meaningful manner and play her part in getting young kids ready for school and for long-term outcomes in life.



The first thousand days of a child's development are crucial. Did you know that children absorb 85% of their information in these first 1,000 days?



To sum it up, SLT has focussed on resourcing classrooms of the 17 centres (from 0-5 years old) for years. This is complete with tables, chairs, book corners, books in Shangan, board games, puzzles, and musical instruments. They have started a 'Train the Trainer' program where Frank, a former teacher, visits each ECD centre daily to train the Practitioners, driven by his passion for the program.



What’s next? SLT is about to start a Parental Caregiver program.



We can’t do this alone, collaboration is crucial. SLT works with different funds & trusts in these rural communities such as the Department of Education and the Institute of Early Childhood Development, & Africa Foundation, & the Community Works Program under the Bushbuck Ridge municipality.



SLT worked with ECD specialists who advised on the best resources.



The stories are truly inspiring, like the blind girl’s graduation at the ECD. It's incredible to witness the transformation.



Today’s parents are young girls who carry their babies along with their school bag, walking to school. Hence the need for the UNICEF Parental Caregiver program.



If this conversation interests you and you're visiting Singita’s lodges in South Africa, we’d love to host you on a community visit where you can see these ECD centres and the impact on young minds. The Singita Lowveld Trust (Singita's conservation partner in SA) · Singita Lowveld Trust Early Childhood Development programme · Singita Early Childhood Development · Donate to the ECD programme. 500 USD shared music equipment per centre and 6,300 USD would resource the classrooms at one of the ECD centres · Africa Foundation · Singita website