Overview
Best Buddies Educational Trust was established in 2019 to sponsor under-privileged children of the Hout Bay community to gain access to top quality education at Best Buddies Educare Centre (PTY) Ltd.
The Objective
With the population explosion over the past couple of years in the Western Cape, the level of unemployment and poverty has increased yet again and quality education in disadvantaged communities is problematic. The COVID19 pandemic, the lockdown of 2020 and the mass loss of employment we are experiencing currently is also having a dramatic influence on families who have little ones to care for. It is this very need that Best Buddies Educational Trust will strive to address. In order to achieve the greatest long-term effect and truly make a difference in a whole generation, it is critical to focus on the education of the foundation phase.
We truly believe that the only effective solution to address the challenges we face in this country is to offer equal opportunity to quality education.
The Opportunity
Best Buddies Educare Centre provides half day and full day care for children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years. Our competitive advantage:
- Open from 07:00 to 17:30 (to give parents the opportunity to work).
- Qualified and loving staff who are all First-Aid trained.
- Stimulating age-appropriate projects and activities daily according to monthly program.
- Wholesome breakfast and lunch included as well as two snacks (which may well be these children’s only meals).
- Wide selection of educational toys.
- Swings, slide, jungle gym and sandpit to promote gross motor development.
- Extra-mural activities offered: Karate, Playball & stretching and balancing classes.
- Little Leaders development program and the Wriggle and Rhyme music program are now co-curricular programs which are offered in school hours and therefore offered to all our children attending Best Buddies Educare.
- Monthly shows / entertainment as well as class outings to educational institutions such as The World of Birds and the Aquarium, sponsored by “My School” funds.
Best Buddies Educare Centre provides half day and full day care for children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years. Our competitive advantage:
- Open from 07:00 to 17:30 (to give parents the opportunity to work).
- Qualified and loving staff who are all First-Aid trained.
- Stimulating age-appropriate projects and activities daily according to monthly program.
- Wholesome breakfast and lunch included as well as two snacks (which may well be these children’s only meals).
- Wide selection of educational toys.
- Swings, slide, jungle gym and sandpit to promote gross motor development.
- Extra-mural activities offered: Karate, Playball & stretching and balancing classes.
- Little Leaders development program and the Wriggle and Rhyme music program are now co-curricular programs which are offered in school hours and therefore offered to all our children attending Best Buddies Educare.
- Monthly shows / entertainment as well as class outings to educational institutions such as The World of Birds and the Aquarium, sponsored by “My School” funds.
Our Proposal
The ultimate goal is to sponsor 20 children of various ages for the full day care for a whole year (12 months). Thus, our funding goal for 2021 is estimated at R180 000.00.
- Rationale
- According to Unicef’s statistical Data on the status of children aged 0-4 in South Africa: “84% of young children between the ages of 0-4 years do not have access to formal ECD provision and rely on their parents or primary caregivers for stimulation and development.” In some instances, these children are even left at home by themselves or with an older sibling as the parent / parents are working during the day.
- Best Buddies Educare Centre currently accommodates 7 partially sponsored children who previously attended other day care centres in Hout Bay. However, the level of education, lack of skills as well as the physical and emotional abuse have driven these parents to seek alternatives to ensure a better future for their little ones. These children have shown immense growth in as little as one week in a structured, stimulated and safe environment.
Sponsor Criteria
In order to select suitable candidates to be sponsored the following criteria will apply and will be represented to the Best Buddies Educational Trust committee for final approval:
- Parents with a combined household income of R10 000.00 or less will be able to apply for sponsorship for their child / children.
- A maximum of two children from the same household may apply for the sponsorship.
- The child needs to be between the ages of 1 year and 4 years to come into recognition for the sponsorship.
- The child may not have been expelled from a previous ECD institution. All previous school fees must be paid up before we will accept the child into the sponsorship program at Best Buddies Educational Trust.
In order to select suitable candidates to be sponsored the following criteria will apply and will be represented to the Best Buddies Educational Trust committee for final approval:
- Parents with a combined household income of R10 000.00 or less will be able to apply for sponsorship for their child / children.
- A maximum of two children from the same household may apply for the sponsorship.
- The child needs to be between the ages of 1 year and 4 years to come into recognition for the sponsorship.
- The child may not have been expelled from a previous ECD institution. All previous school fees must be paid up before we will accept the child into the sponsorship program at Best Buddies Educational Trust.
Feedback
Every institution that sponsors a child or children will receive a quarterly report of the child’s progress. These institutions will also be invited to the yearly school concert to see the little ones in action and to experience the facilities offered at Best Buddies Educare Centre. At Best Buddies Educare Centre we do two assessments per year to determine the child’s development and to rectify any challenges or skills that the child is struggling with. These reports will also be made available to the specific institution that sponsors a child or gives a donation.
Expected Results
By investing in these children during the developmental phase they will stand a greater chance in getting into a quality Primary School. The years at Best Buddies Educare will ensure that they are school ready and have developed optimally.
Other Benefits
Private companies who support this cause as part of their Social Responsibility will be provided with the necessary documentation to receive a Tax benefit annually.
We would like to thank all our current sponsors for their love and support.
Create a Future,
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Sponsor a Child!