TCM, the IBM midrange hardware, software and service company, has donated a significant cash amount to Safe and Sound, the Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme aimed at disadvantaged areas.
In partnership, Unsung Heroes, works in underprivileged communities providing mentoring, organisational skills and development, fundraising and administration/management of funds, project evaluation/management and technical support to the various projects it supports.
Safe and Sound trains women in disadvantaged areas to provide quality care and education for children from birth to six years. Safe and Sound, an accredited training provider, prepares trainees for a National Certificate in ECD, Level 4 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Workshops are held in the communities to involve family and community members in the education of children between these ages.
"The programme has to date trained 50 out of work women and trains them to care and educate children. It will positively impact on between 1 500 to 2 000 children in the Gauteng area," explained Colleen Walter, training director.
TCM marketing executive Jorge de Campos said communities do not need financial contributions only, but assistance with skills development and empowerment.
"Safe and Sound has an excellent track record and we are comfortable that our investment will be used productively and will bear fruit," explained De Campos.
"For each person trained, at least one job is created, and at the same time women are encouraged, empowered and mentored in their own environment," he says.
"As we all know, the number of AIDS orphans is growing, and this programme is contributing to the training of foster mothers to provide an education programme for pre-schoolers," added De Campos.
Children are taught in a play-based learning programme that includes language, number and life skills. The curriculum is based on the Revised National Curriculum Statements.
"TCM is impressed with the programme and we believe the goals, namely to develop teachers, mothers, family and community members in disadvantaged communities to teach and care for pre-school children, is working. We believe the finance we are providing will take an already excellent programme to a higher level," said De Campos.
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