Eco Children News July 2024

Zelda de Keijzer • August 1, 2024

Opening of Tshokolo Primary School Library 

On 4 March 2024, our seventh library at Tshokolo Primary School was officially opened. This library, which also features an interactive EduBoard, is a testament to the generosity and vision of the Holder Family. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them for sponsoring four libraries in our partnering schools. Christopher Holder joined us for the momentous occasion and cut the ribbon alongside our chairman, Deon Huysamer. This library, a symbol of hope, will undoubtedly pave the way for a brighter future for many children. We are also excited to announce that the Holder Family is continuing their support by sponsoring our eighth library at Powerline Primary School, with construction set to commence in July 2024. 

Breaking Ground - Eco Children’s first Grade R Centre 

The emotional, social and physical development of young children has a direct effect on their overall development and on the adults they will become. That is why understanding the need to invest in very young children is so important, to maximise their future well-being. Play allows kids to learn and improve their cognitive, social, language, coordination and motor skills. Without being able to play, kids may develop those skills at a severely stunted rate. The construction of our first Grade R Centre commenced in April with a groundbreaking ceremony at Makwetse Primary School. The centre will comprise a 200m2 building with three classrooms accommodating 108 Grade R learners at Makwetse Primary School. The learners will have a fully equipped playground fenced off from the rest of the school. This milestone project has been made possible by the generosity of the Jell Foundation, the headline sponsor, and Kapama Private Game Reserve. The project is expected to be completed in July 2024. 


Bursary Programme 

After a successful academic year in 2023, our 11 bursary students from Southern Cross Schools have begun their college journey. Two students are in Grade 8, six in Grade 9, two in Grade 11, and one in Grade 12. Their achievements have been outstanding, not only in academics but also in their active participation in extracurricular activities. Xolile, a Grade 12 student, has been appointed as the Head of Boarding and CRUX leader for 2024. His hard work and exceptional leadership skills have not only brought him personal success but have also served as a beacon of hope for our community. In 2024, we also welcomed our first Lowveld Academy bursary student. Additionally, we are supporting two tertiary students. We are very proud of Kwetsimane Mathebula, who joined Southern Cross Schools in 2012 in Grade 8 and graduated in 2023 with an LLB. She is currently doing her articles at a law firm in Cape Town. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of education. It has been truly inspiring to witness the personal growth of the students. 


Incentive Initiatives 

It is equally important to acknowledge the hard work of learners who take care of vegetables in our keyhole gardens with love, just like it is important to acknowledge top academic performers. Our incentive initiatives recognise both. 

At the end of 2023, we awarded 210 vouchers to students to buy new school uniforms through our Kit-a-Kid initiative. This initiative has had a significant impact on our students and the community. For many of our students, these vouchers are a lifeline, ensuring that they have the necessary uniforms to attend school. So far, we have donated more than 5,000 school uniforms through this initiative, making a tangible difference in the lives of these children and their families. 


Our Merry Moments initiative, an annual, heartwarming event, brought early Christmas joy to nearly 700 children at the end of 2023. The children, who might not have had the opportunity to celebrate Christmas otherwise, were delighted to find stockings filled to the brim with gifts. This initiative was made possible by the collective efforts of our community, and we are proud of the spirit of giving that it represents. 



The monthly Kruger National Park (KNP) excursions are highly anticipated among our Grade 7 learners, who work diligently to earn a coveted spot on the trip. For many, it will be their first time visiting KNP and encountering wild animals, an experience that broadens their horizons and ignites their curiosity. This year, we are taking 11 students from each of our nine partner schools


Eco Village Sign

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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

A Milestone Moment

By Mandie Gericke • April 20, 2025
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.

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.
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