GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Bukelwa Booysen, Managing Director of the Khanyisa Day Care Centre, runs a tight ship. The Centre is bright and welcoming, yet organised and orderly.
Its child-centred ethos is evident from the playground to the classrooms. Yet this critical community resource has been without running water since 19 January.
Booysen told Graaff-Reinet Advertiser that the schools' Early Childhood Development Programme accommodates over 100 children between the ages of two and seven years.
It has a progressive "inclusive education" approach in which able-bodied and differently-abled children are integrated into the same caring and learning environment.
"I want to applaud our communities because when we started, they did not understand the model of inclusive education. Now they are fully accepting. In this safe, supportive environment, all children flourish - we see the impact," says Booysen.
The second programme is one of a kind in Graaff-Reinet and its surroundings. It serves 25 children with disabilities who cannot be accommodated in designated schools in the province. And then there is the protective workshop for youth older than seventeen.
While able to accommodate 29 youth, some struggle to attend due to financial or domestic issues.
As Booysen speaks, it becomes clear that the school fulfils functions beyond child care and education. Parents and youth are assisted to navigate through the complexities of the government’s systems for support - from housing applications to grants and subsidies.
"We have been here in Graaff-Reinet making a huge difference in a need identified, a special school for kids with disabilities, and we have closed the gap successfully."
They face several challenges.
The Department of Social Development provides small subsidies, but most other support comes from donations of food and equipment. While this is much appreciated, funding remains a problem, especially for salaries. "My main fear is to lose staff members," Booysen says.”
Bukelwa Booysen, Managing Director of the Khanyisa Day Care Centre, indicates the under-utilised building behind the Khanyisa Day Care Centre where they hope to expand their school. Photos: Gaby Cheminais
The school started with two people, now there are twelve staff members.
The ECD programme is full and there is a long waiting list. But despite providing a vital service, the school has not been able to expand.
"We don’t have access to the whole building."
They tried to negotiate with the municipality for access to a second, underutilised portion of the building. However, despite the current tenant’s willingness to move to an alternative site, the municipality has not agreed to the expansion.
"My heart is bleeding, the building stands empty and our classrooms are squashed."
Then there are the water crises. Booysen explains: "We have never had a problem with water before. But when we opened on 19 January there was no water in the taps. I reported the case to the Engineering Department. They sent some guys but they could not assist as they could not find the water meter box. They went away and they never came back again.
"I called many times. No one has come to assist. Thank God we have the water tank. We use the water for the toilets, for cooking and drinking. But standing water is not necessarily good for you and the supply can run out."
Booysen hopes that the municipality will resolve the matter soon. Khanyisa Day Care Centre cares for over 150 children and young people. They require a functional facility.
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