For nearly three decades, Thembalitsha Foundation has been
working to bring hope and meaningful change to under-invested communities
across the Western Cape through programmes focused on health, education, early
childhood development and skills training. Speaking on Sakhisizwe, Thembalitsha
Foundation Chairman Anthony Geard reflected on the organization's work and the
importance of responding to the changing needs of communities. Thembalitsha,
which means “new hope”, was established in 1997. According to Geard, the
organization's work has always been centered around restoring hope among people
who face difficult circumstances. "That's what we’ve been doing for almost
the last 30 years,” Geard said.
One of the foundation’s flagship programmes is Mama Themba,
which supports mothers and their babies during the first 1,000 days, from
conception until the child reaches two years old. Geard said the programme
encounters a number of challenges, including teenage pregnancies, gender-based
violence and mothers who may not have enough information or support to prepare
for raising a child. “It’s about restoring and bringing a new sense of hope to
a whole range of different people, but in the case of Mama Themba, to new moms
and their babies,” he explained.
The programme provides prenatal and postnatal support,
counselling, education and access to resources. Mothers can also join WhatsApp
groups where they can ask questions in a safe environment and receive support
from counsellors working at clinics. Geard stressed that information and
emotional support are particularly important for mothers who may already be
dealing with difficult circumstances. “Information is often something that moms
just don’t have,” he said, adding that creating safe spaces where mothers can
ask questions and receive encouragement is essential.
The foundation’s support continues beyond the first 1,000
days through its early childhood development programmes, including Agape
Educare, Tembani Educare and Graceland Preschool. These centres focus on the overall
development of children, including their physical, emotional, social and
intellectual growth. But for Geard, education alone is not enough. “Skills is
one thing, but people need a whole lot of love as well,” he said.
The foundation also places strong emphasis on creating safe
environments where children can learn, play and receive care, particularly
those coming from challenging backgrounds. Anthony said the organization's
approach is based on working together with communities rather than imposing
solutions on them. “This is never about us as Thembalitsha arriving in a
community and saying we’ve got the solution,” he said. “All of our projects
have been built with community assistance over time.” This approach includes
engaging parents, families and community members to identify both challenges
and existing resources that can help strengthen programmes.
Nutrition is another important part of Thembalitsha’s early
childhood development work. The organization provides meals and snacks at its centres,
recognizing that hunger can affect children’s ability to learn and participate.
“Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach,” Anthony Geard said.
He explained that the foundation also tries to provide support during school
holidays, when children may lose access to feeding programs normally available
through schools. The impact of this work can be seen through the children who
have progressed through Thembalitsha’s programs and gone on to further
education. Some have even returned to work at the same early childhood centres
that supported them when they were younger.
Anthony Geard described these stories as a “full circle”
moment, showing how investment in early childhood development can have a
lasting impact on individuals and communities. The foundation itself has also
evolved over the years. While it initially focused heavily on healthcare and
the HIV/AIDS pandemic, it later expanded into education, early childhood
development and skills training as community needs changed.
Geard believes that being able to adapt is essential for
organizations working in the non-profit sector. “One of the great needs of an
organization that is operating in the NPO space is the ability to change and to
pivot,” he said. For Anthony his involvement with Thembalitsha remains deeply
meaningful. “Being a part of Thembalitsha has been and remains one of the
greatest privileges of my life,” he said.
As the organization approaches its 30-year anniversary in
2027, it continues to expand its work, including through its children’s library
project in Khayelitsha. For communities facing poverty, limited resources and
inequality, Thembalisha’s work demonstrates the importance of investing in
people from an early age and working alongside communities to create
sustainable change.
Ultimately, Geard says the organization is not only about
providing services, but about helping people move towards independence.
"We're not just about restoring hope, but we’re also about restoring
people to a place of self-reliance where they acquire the skills to look after
themselves.”
For more information about Thembalitsha Foundation and its
programs: visit https://hope.org.za/.
No comments:
Post a Comment