A Milestone Moment

Mandie Gericke • April 20, 2025

Celebrating the Opening of Our First Grade R Centre 

On April 15th, we reached a proud and powerful milestone in the journey of Eco Children — the official opening of our very first Grade R Centre at Makwetse Primary School! This momentous occasion was filled with joy, gratitude, and a deep sense of purpose, as we celebrated a step forward for early childhood education in our community.


Building the Future, One Child at a Time

The importance of Grade R — or the Reception Year — cannot be overstated. It’s during these early years that the foundations for lifelong learning are laid. Grade R is where children begin to explore their world, build social and emotional skills, and develop the confidence to take on the future.  This centre is more than a classroom — it’s a carefully crafted environment made for children, where learning happens through play, imagination, and exploration. Every element was thoughtfully designed to foster curiosity, joy, and growth.

From age-appropriate educational tools to beautifully curated play spaces, this Grade R Centre is a place where our youngest learners can truly thrive.


Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

This dream would not have become a reality without the generosity and commitment of our partners. We extend our heartfelt thanks to:

• The Jell Foundation

• Kapama Private Game Reserve


Your support has been instrumental in making this vision come to life, and your presence at the launch event made the day even more meaningful.


We were also honored to have our chairman, Deon Huysamer , join us in celebrating this momentous occasion, alongside key community leaders and stakeholders, including:

• Chief R.N. Chiloane

• Induna Manzini

• Circuit Manager, M.L. Makofane

• Ward Councillor, R. Mashile


Your attendance reflects the shared commitment to uplifting our children and building stronger communities through education.

Innovative Learning for a New Generation

The new Grade R Centre features unique learning equipment designed by Hannah Barnes from Young Game Changers, whose creative approach promotes play-based learning that inspires problem-solving, collaboration, and confidence. Her contributions have added a vibrant and interactive dimension to the classroom that children are already responding to with excitement and joy.


We are also proud to integrate the Wild Hearts Environmental Education Programme, developed in collaboration with the Made Better Together Foundation. This inspiring curriculum weaves environmental awareness into early education through storytelling, games, and hands-on outdoor experiences — teaching children to care for the world around them from the very start.

Community, Commitment & Celebration


The opening event was a true celebration of collaboration. From performances by the learners to speeches from our honoured guests, the day was filled with warmth and hope for what lies ahead. The excitement in the eyes of our Grade R learners said it all — this space is already making a difference.

To everyone who made this day possible — thank you. Whether you attended, sponsored, built, taught, or helped behind the scenes, you were part of something meaningful and lasting.


A special thanks to our Eco Children team, whose passion and dedication ensured every detail was perfectly in place. Your planning, coordination, and heart brought this event — and this project — to life.

Looking Ahead


This Grade R Centre is just the beginning. As we look to the future, we remain committed to expanding access to quality early childhood education across our region. Together, we can nurture the conservationists, entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers of tomorrow — one young learner at a time.

Here’s to planting the seeds of hope, one Grade R classroom at a time. 

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Our April Employee of the Month

By Mandie Gericke • April 29, 2025
Employee of the Month: Lydia from Hloaia Primary School

Our Eco Gardens grow more than just vegetables

By Mandie Gericke • April 11, 2025
At Eco Children, we’ve always believed that education and environment go hand in hand. That belief comes to life in our school gardens — vibrant, living classrooms where children are not just learning to plant food, but growing confidence, knowledge, and a deep connection to the land. 🌱 Sowing the Seeds of Sustainability Each garden starts with a patch of soil and a whole lot of hope. Through our garden program, we partner with schools to establish productive vegetable gardens that are cared for by the learners themselves, alongside their teachers and community members. The goal? To promote food security, environmental education, and hands-on learning — all while supporting the nutritional needs of learners. From composting and water-wise gardening to understanding the life cycle of a plant, children don’t just read about these things — they live them. 🍅 More Than Meals: A Lesson in Life Yes, these gardens help supplement school feeding schemes with fresh, healthy produce like cabbage, carrots, and beets. But the true impact goes far beyond the plate. Learners gain: • Skills in agriculture and teamwork • Pride in nurturing something from seed to harvest • Respect for the environment and sustainable living • Knowledge, they take home, sharing what they learn with their families 👨🏾‍🌾 A Whole Community Grows The ripple effects are incredible. Parents become involved. Community members volunteer. And soon, the garden becomes a space where everyone learns and contributes. In some schools, surplus produce from the gardens is sold to support school needs or reinvested into expanding the project — a small but mighty example of community-led development. 🌍 Growing Hope, One Seed at a Time In a region where challenges like poverty, food insecurity, and climate change are very real, these gardens are a quiet revolution. They teach our children that change doesn’t always come from far away — sometimes, it starts with your hands in the dirt and a seed of an idea. So yes — we’re growing vegetables. But more importantly, we’re growing leaders, caretakers, and changemakers for tomorrow.

Celebrating Excellence: Tsoseletso Chiloane Named March Employee of the Month

By Mandie Gericke • April 7, 2025
At Eco Children, we believe in recognizing the individuals who go the extra mile to uplift communities, inspire young minds, and protect our planet. This March, we are incredibly proud to shine the spotlight on Tsoseletso Chiloane, our Employee of the Month, whose unwavering dedication and passion embody everything we stand for. Tsoseletso joined the Eco Children family in early 2021, and since then, she has been a powerful force for change. Serving as both Environmental Educator and Librarian at Tshokolo Primary School, she brings creativity, enthusiasm, and purpose to everything she does. Whether she's leading engaging lessons on environmental conservation or sparking a love of reading in her students, Tsoseletso always goes above and beyond. Her innovative teaching methods and ability to connect with learners have not only made education fun but have also planted seeds of curiosity and care for the world around them. What sets Tsoseletso apart is her deep commitment to both education and the environment—a dual passion that makes a lasting impact. Her work empowers the next generation to think critically, dream boldly, and act responsibly. She reminds us that great teachers don’t just teach—they inspire, empower, and shape the future. Tsoseletso, your hard work, passion, and positive spirit do not go unnoticed. Thank you for making a difference every single day. We are truly lucky to have you as part of the Eco Children team!
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