Lehlogonolo Educare Centre – Limpopo


Lehlogonolo is an African word meaning ‘blessing’. It is the name adopted by the Educare Centre based in Topanama Village, Limpopo province.

Topanama Village is a very small rural settlement close to Tzaneen and is part of the Mogoboya district.

Lehlogonolo Educare Centre was started by the women of the community in 1992 and was formally registered in August 2005. “The school was established for various reasons aimed at the wellbeing of the village children.  It is a place to prepare children for ‘big school’, a place of safety, care, nurturing and learning”, says Alinah Mokhubidu, the schools acting principal.

This non-profit institution is run by 9 staff, which includes two ECD (Early Childhood Development) teachers and three caregivers.  The small school made up of 99 children is faced with the challenge of keeping up with the daily expenses. This includes utilities and rent, staff salaries and food for the children who often arrive hungry. Parents are not always able to pay the fees as many are unemployed and live below the breadline. The school receives only a very small stipend from the Department of Social Developments local office, therefore donations and assistance from the outside is desperately needed.

RADA was introduced to the school in June 2020 and after visiting the premises and meeting the staff, RADA decided that it was a place we could assist and support going forward. With the help of sponsors, we will continue to assess and assist with the needs of the school, it’s teachers and learners.

Mrs Mokhubidu, has used her husband’s pension money to build two additional classrooms at the school, accommodating children aged 1 – 3 and 4 – 6 years.

Teaching and learning is done in a holistic and nurturing way. The children are respected and taught that we all live a life of value. The preschools aim is to guide and educate the 99 learners so that they are ‘school-ready’ when they begin Grade 1 at the age of 6 going on 7.

Our Wishlist:

  • Photocopier/fax machine
  • 2 x office tables
  • 4 x office chairs
  • Wi-fi
  • 4 x laptops
  • Ceiling for the two finished classrooms
  • 8 x toilets for children
  • 2 x toilets for adults
  • Outdoor children’s play equipment
  • 10 x beds for babies under 3 years
  • 70 x sleeping beds for children to relax and sleep after 12 midday
  • Colour paints
  • Toys – completed and ongoing – sponsored by RADA
  • Childrens tables and chairs – completed – sponsored by RADA
  • Toilet paper – completed and ongoing – sponsored by RADA
  • 10 x Uniform/t-shirts for staff
  • Stationary
  • Books – completed and ongoing – sponsored by RADA
  • 2 x Office computers
  • Shade for children’s play area
  • Gas Stove and Cylinder
  • Bigger classroom
  • Kitchen

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