Wielie-Walie Early Childhood Development Centre (“the Centre”) is situated in an area named Bergmanshoogte, which is part of the small rural town of Philippolis in the Free State province.
Kate Crough started the Centre in 2004 to educate the large number of young children, not yet in school, that were playing in the streets of Bergmanshoogte during the day.
The Centre is run by four staff who take care of 56 children aged between three months and seven years old. It is faced with the challenge of keeping up with expenses which include electricity, rent and staff salaries. Due to parents who are reliant on inconsistent employment and poor income, fees are generally not paid. The Centre receives limited funding from the Department of Education, therefore donations and assistance from the outside is in desperate need.
Janine Visagie is the current manager and was selected by the community to take care of the Centre.
RADA was introduced to the Centre in October 2022 by representatives from Tiger Canyon Private Game Reserve situated just outside the town. After visiting the premises and meeting the staff in July 2023, 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 Centre, its staff, pre-schoolers and the community.
Our Wishlist:
- Extra toilets for the children
- Additional classrooms
- Borehole water and electricity
- JoJo tank
- Storage cupboard or containers
- Buckets with lids
- Outdoor paint for Jungle Jims
- Educational toys
- Educational posters
- Pots and pans
- Plastic bowls, spoons, cups
- Mattresses
- Stationary for children eg. Glue, paint etc.
- Carpets/mats
- Typek
- Lamination pouches
- White Boards A4
- Counting frames
- Gardening tools
- Washing basins and hand towels
- Aprons for children
- First Aid kit
- Clocks
