Lesedi trustees visit key projects in Danielskuil

This week, the trustees from the Lesedi Board visited several community projects in Danielskuil, gaining firsthand insight into local initiatives supported by our programs.

The visit began with an observation of a Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) class, which focuses on improving literacy and numeracy skills for learners who have fallen behind their peers. The trustees also observed the STELLAR early childhood development program and visited two local SmartStart playgroups.

The trustees observed how one franchisee, Dorothea, has integrated a food garden into her operations, using it as a pathway for her own sustainability. She sells produce to other franchisees and locals, creating a vital income stream. Olga, another franchisee, is the best-performing in the area, with a waiting list of community members eager to enrol their children in her program. She stands out for her ability to collect fees from parents, and earlier this year, two of her learners successfully transitioned from Grade R to Grade 1. Olga credits her success to strictly following the SmartStart curriculum and going the extra mile when needed.

The trustees also visited Agape, an aftercare program supported through SCAT. Over the past year and a half, Agape has seen significant growth. Initially operating out of the founder’s home, the NGO has secured land from the municipality and infrastructure from the Lesedi Power Company. Through the Lesedi Trust, they are also benefitting from programmatic training in strategically aligned areas of focus, including substance abuse. The site is now well-positioned to become a multipurpose centre, where various programs could collaborate with Agape.