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Ubunye works with rural communities to lay strong foundations for lifelong learning – from early childhood development through to secondary school and beyond.

EXCELLENT LEARNING
FINANCIAL STABILITY
SAFETY
FOOD SECURITY
COMMUNITY-LED GROWTH

Linked Funding Initiative: 
The Together Initiative

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Isisekelo Programme

 Education for Life

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Our Approach

Ubunye’s community-led model means that all programme decisions are shaped by the people they serve. In the Ngqushwa Municipality, communities identified a clear need for early learning centres. In response, Programme Working Groups – made up of local residents – took the lead in creating safe, sustainable, and empowering spaces for young children
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They:

  • Identified suitable sites for ECD centres

  • Elected parent committees

  • Encouraged local women to become ECD practitioners, assistants, and cooks

Why It Matters
 

Isisekelo supports the creation of community-run ECD centres that offer:

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  • A safe, nurturing learning environment

  • Nutritious meals

  • Quality early education

  • Sustainable operations rooted in local leadership

 

 

These centres aim to meet the Department of Basic Education‘s standards for Partial Care Registration, unlocking access to government grants and long-term financial sustainability.

Impact So Far

In 2018, over 126,000 children under 5 in Ngqushwa had no access to ECD education (DSD).

That same year, Ubunye launched the Isisekelo Programme.

 

By 2025, 52 centres serving over 1000 children were registered with the Department of Basic Education and secured funding.

The programme now covers 57 ECD centres reaching more than 1700 children and 97 ECD practitioners.

Isisekelo Stats

57

Early Childhood Development Centres

97

Early Childhood Development Practitioners

1741

Learners

Looking Ahead

Isisekelo continues to expand into primary and secondary education – integrating digital learning tools, traditional knowledge, and sustainable infrastructure to help young people succeed in and beyond the classroom.

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ISISEKELO FUNDING INITIATIVE

TOGETHER
INITIATIVE

UPDATES

New to Isisekelo

WATCH this SPACE: iPads coming to all 45 ECD centres

An Amazing donor is making the dreams comes true for 32 more ECD centres in Ngqushwa by donating iPads

Tower vegetable gardens

Click on infographic to see our up-to-date report on Tower Vegetable Gardens

The Beautiful Toilet Project

Click and see our latest blog

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Connect With Us

Director: Katy Pepper

 

katy@ubunyefoundation.co.za

T: +27 (0)46 622 7896

F: +27 (0)46 622 7889

A: Unit 7, The Workshop,

1 Rautenbach Road, Makhanda, 6139

P O Box 448, Makhanda, 6140

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Thanks for your message! We'll be in touch.

Have a great day.

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© Ubunye Foundation

Website Design by Conlan

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