Our

Work

Our Work

Lifting up the hands that raise the children. Thank you to our generous sponsors and volunteers.

We celebrate three stories of hope from South Africa. Follow our path of small victories through the joyful voices of Sino, Esihle, and Nonto. Hover over each image for a description (desktop).

A photo montage of magical moments: Women in ECD empower growth.

Three ladies and a child holding up beadwork. Craft items made by women in ECD, Income Generation Programme. Project Hope, KZN.

Project Hope Expands Early Access Learning – Photo Recap

Women are the lifeblood of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Mzansi.

Deep in rural Kwa-Zulu-Natal (KZN), there are only 4,7-7,8 ECD programmes per 1000 vulnerable children within the eThekweni Municipality. More than a critical gap, if 72,8% of children aged 0-4 stay home with a parent or guardian, this is a crisis of epic proportions.

A lady holding an enormous pumpkin (word, Hope, carved into it). Nonto, ECD programme manager, Project Hope.

Rising to the challenge and expanding early access learning at a community level are the amazing women of Mlambo: Serving 70 beautiful souls at Siyamudumisa Daycare.

Project Hope ECD reflects on how the spirit of Ubuntu guides community upliftment.

Safe Spaces Build Bright Futures

Half a decade later, and our little ones finally have a loo! Ululating echoed through the Valley of 1000’s Hills. Ubuntu works in mysterious ways.

Humble thanks to Al Baraka Bank and The Gift of the Givers Foundation.

Children and Women standing in front of the new creche toilets. Sponsored by Gift of the Givers. Project Hope ECD. Ribbon cutting ceremony.

Toilets with tiled floors & running water: separate toddler-sized and teacher loos.

Nonto smiling on a poster recognising her passion for Grow ECD. Project Hope, KZN

The daycare is a step closer to the DBE’s new eCares registration.

Siyabonga kakhula to Nontobeka, preschool founder, Project ECD Programme Manager, and mom to Banele. Her voice embodies a heart full of purpose, and she has a marvellous, mischievous grin!

Our partner, Grow ECD, recognised her passion to share knowledge. Download their practical guide to preschool registration in SA.

Little girl clapping. Esihle leads song at Project Hope ECD creche. South Africa
A little boy standing with his arms out wide. Behind him is the Valley of a 1000 Hills. Project Hope ECD

Grow ECD Through Nurture

Little Esihle blossomed this year and received the Best Student Award 2-3 Year Group.

Leading song during music time, a ‘tiny superstar’ in the making. Along with her confidence, her appetite, counting skills and vocabulary grew.

She didn’t miss a single day of school, a proud note on her Term 4 report. Esihle’s bright smile is backed by the unwavering support of her mom.

A little girl holding a certificate. Esihle, Best Student Award 2-3 Year Group. Project Hope ECD, KZN, SA.
A mother and child holding up beadwork. Sino and Esihle from Project Hope. Women in ECD, KZN, SA.

Support Mothers, Help Children Thrive

This year, uMama Sinothele joined our Income Generation Programme.

“Yes, I can!”, her trademark response to life’s challenges. With an attitude that feels like sunshine, Sino keeps Esihle her central focus.

Thanks to a monthly Blessing Package of R300, she has learned a new skill.

A super mom who steps bravely into each day:

Hands holding crafted beadwork items. ECD mothers' income generation initiative. Project Hope. KZN

Upliftment comes in a variety of forms. Growing nourishment works, and the school veggie garden is flourishing. A joint venture bringing the community together.

A hand holding an onion from the vegetable garden of an ECD creche. Seed sponsored by Checkers Hyper, Westown Complex. Project Hope, KZN

Many voices join daily in joyful song.

Thanks to Checkers Hyper at the new Westown Complex for donating seeds.

Hungry little ones fed and moms who can sleep in peace.

We have been working alongside the Siyamudumisa Daycare since 2020.

Mama’s with a heart is where it all began. When nurture is the fundamental focus, children thrive.

A lady holding a smiling baby girl. Kirsten McGregor-Director Project Hope ECD. KZN

Amazing things are achieved through creative collaboration. Join us as we step forward into a new year, wiser and more determined in our mission.

Two ladies and a young baby boy (all smiling).<br /> Sara-Banele-Nonto-Project Hope ECD. KZN

Visit our Sponsor a Mom page to sign up for a Blessing Package.

Support a caregiver. After all, Motherhood is the original founder of ECD, past, present, and future.

Give voice to vulnerable KZN children.

Say, Yes, to Hope.

“Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey towards it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us,” Samuel Smiles.

Thank you for taking a moment to honour all the wonderful women in ECD.

From the Project Hope Family with Love.

Sara, Kirst, and Nonto.

Glossary:

DBE – Department of Basic Education, South Africa.

eCares – New online system developed by the DBE to manage ECD programmes.

isiZulu – English:

  • eThekweni – The bay / Durban
  • Siyabonga kakhula – We thank you very much.
  • Siyamdumisa – We Praise Him.
  • Ubuntu – I am because we are.
  • Ululating – High-pitched wavering sounds made to express extreme joy.
  • uMama – Mother