Umfundi on the move!

The niche need that has been identified in the Valley of a Thousand Hills in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, are the hundreds of young children who do not attend any preschool or daycare facility. 

With this in mind, over the past 18 months we have built friendships with 11 facilitators who work in the Valley of a Thousand Hills. We have trained, played, laughed, and learned together, as we have looked for effective ways to teach and prepare young children for Grade 1.

Recently we have started ‘pop-up classrooms’ that have 4 – 8 children who meet once a week for a school-readiness programme. The facilitators are trained monthly and are given the lesson plans and resources to help teach these children. Simple take-home resources are prepared weekly, and caregivers are encouraged to do a short activity with their child daily.

The Lord has also added Sandisiwe Mobukung to the Umfundi team. Sandi is a committed follower of Jesus, with a heart to see lives changed through the Gospel. She also has her honors degree in Psychology. Sandi will be visiting the homes in The Valley, where she will forge relationships with the facilitators, as well as the caregivers of the children. She also translates our training into isiZulu.

This programme is currently serving 45 children in 8 homes. We hope to see this number increase to many more over the next 3 years. 

Pray for us as we seek effective ways to make disciples in the Valley of a Thousand Hills.