GANDHI DEVELOPMENT TRUST MANDELLA DAY PROGRAMME
Media Statement by the Gandhi Development Trust (GDT)
For its Mandela Day 2013 programme, the Gandhi Development Trust (GDT) in partnership with Art for Humanity, The Green Squad Alliance, Cooperative & Rural Enterprise Support Initiative (CRESI), the Durban University of Technology’s Department of Child and Youth Development, the Durban branch of Wessa, muralist Jono Hornby and a number of students, will volunteer its expertise, time and effort in revitalising and resourcing Macedonia Crèche in Umzinyathi, North of Durban.
Located in a peri-urban residential area, Macedonia Crèche is a poorly resourced Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre which services a total of 54 children, many of whom are non-fee paying owing to poverty.
The project will include creating a banner and mural to liven up the building and make the crèche more conducive to children’s learning. The banner, facilitated by Art for Humanity and sponsored by Oxfam, will cover the front wall on the outside of the crèche. The mural and other nursery wall prints are the creation of Jono Hornby, an independent muralist. The banner and the mural will be accompanied by messaging around peace, nonviolence and children’s rights.
As a result of the adverse socio-economic challenges faced by both the children at the crèche and the Umzinyathi community, an organic food garden will be established by the Durban branch of WESSA, assisted by the Green Squad Alliance and CRESI, to provide or supplement a steady food supply.
Lecturers from DUT’s Department of Child and Youth Development will conduct training and provide resources to upskill teachers and train children on coping methods and resolving conflict nonviolently. The Gift of the Givers, a global relief agency, will donate food hampers to children and parents.
Details of the programme:
Date: 18 July 2013
Time: 08h30 to 15h30
Venue: Macedonia Crèche, Umzinyathi, North of Durban
For more information contact Kanya Padayachee on 0837961963 or kpadayachee@gdt.org.za.
For media queries contact Nompumelelo Zuma on 0313735820, 0782211369 or nzuma@gdt.org.za.
Issued by the Gandhi Development Trust.