The Early Learning Resource Unit

Barb: Very exciting yesterday as we visited a program very much like RCC.   The Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU) provides training to providers and has a publishing arm, just as we do! More later, but here's their website: www.elru.co.za. Also visited another program that is trying to start a library!  More on that effort later as well.


I can tell I'm going to have to continue posting after we return until I can catch up. We are seeing so much and going so fast and long that I am behind. 

Phew!

Cammy: today my mom had meetings so I got to go sight seeing.

I went to Pretoria, we went to a government building where Mandela was sworn in as president and we went to a monument. It was 131 steps to the top!

We also had lunch at a place with a huge tortoise and a black rabbit!

My new best friend

Penguins!

Cammy: The place where we visited the penguins was called Boulders Beach, on a false bay. From what we saw it was a good environment for them to live in. Boulder is famous for having a colony of African penguins. Even tho it's close to a town, you can see the penguins up close here. The penguin colony  has about 3,000 penguins! 

Food of Africa

Barb: This restaurant is called Gramadoelas. 

s.

Mama Toni

Cam:  Mama Toni was really nice. She was making sure that kids had safe places to be and food to eat. Lots of kids don't have parents because of HIV/aids, so they need places like hers. I got to see the computer lab and meet some kids that were using the computers.

Comparisons and Contrasts

Barb: I visited East Suburbs Pre-school Primary School. This private child care center served middle/upper class families. This was a quality program: Much outdoor play space, degreed teachers, etc. Some of the play spaces might not meet licensing standards, but sure looked fun! Full full day cost is approximately $230/month.

I also visited Phehella Day and Night Center, a family childcare center.  This facility was a stark contrast to the East Suburbs Pre-school.  This home was serving 131 children. Nine or ten spend nights there. Cost ranged from approximately $25-50/month. As you can see from the picture many children are placed in very small rooms. While we were there most children were watching television. 


There was a small computer lab in the home. This was considered to be a program whose workers were striving for quality, seeking training from the SANTS program (more about this program in another post). There was a posted schedule, some learning materials, pictures on the walls.

Barb: The disparity between rich and poor in South Africa is the greatest of any place in the world. We see the contrast everywhere.  Unemployment is around 30%. The hope and possibilities for this new (1994) country are evident everywhere. Much first world infrastructure is in place. We have heard over and over about how the president has made early childhood education a national priority as beginning of scaling and developing a quality education system. Many believe that this is what is necessary-- quality free accessible education for all-- to fully realize the potential of this magnificent country and to allow for the development of an economy that can sustain the population.