Nomphumelelo

The Kindergarten started in 1987 when Phusana Duma began to work with children in her own home. She moved out when her husband bought the home they are currently living in and the kindergarten continued on their old site.
In 1993, a German kindergarten teacher, Elke Stöbe, came to South Africa and began to help with educational aspects. She also organised funding through Germany which allowed the project to develop to its present form.
Nompumelelo has around 120 children and employs 7 teachers, a number of whom are studying at the Centre for Creative Education at the same time.
Phumsana has worked with European volunteers for some years, who find a place to stay in her own home and help at the kindergarten. She also provides asylum for a number of orphaned children – I counted around 6 – who live within the warm family atmosphere she provides. These children receive funding in order to attend the Zenzeleni Waldorf School nearby, but she provides for their accommodation and food herself.
A new wing has just been added to her house where guests can find comfortable beds, and a shower is being installed downstairs. We were very well received and cared for and see the work she does and her warm, caring personality as providing an environment in which children and young people can thrive.
Work to be done:
1. Stabilise annex to new building and reconstruct roof with an overhang behind and possibly a covered veranda in front to stop water seeping into the walls.
2. Brick paving over parts of the yard.
3. There is a need for playground equipment, including swings, sandpit, tyre constructions and so on.
4. Phumsana want to purchase the adjoining property in the corner so that she can clear the shack in front and adapt the house to her needs. Money for this would have to be raised.
5. A small area behind the toilets in the main block could be landscaped and made into a play area
6. General repairs an renovations are needed on doors and windows, paintwork and so on.