Different strengths. One shared goal for ECD.
Creating lasting change in an ECD centre often takes more than one type of investment. It takes committed people, long-term vision and partners bringing different strengths towards a shared goal.
Wild Tomorrow’s journey with Thelelulwazi Crèche in rural KwaZulu-Natal is a wonderful example.
When Wild Tomorrow first became involved with Thelelulwazi in 2019, the centre was operating from a small shed next to a church. Despite limited infrastructure and resources, a dedicated group of women continued caring for and teaching the children in their community.
Working alongside Wild Impact, donors and other partners, Wild Tomorrow began investing in what the centre needed to grow. A new school building was constructed in 2019, followed over time by food supplies, teacher stipends and other resources. In 2022, a separate kitchen and dining facility was completed to help the centre meet government requirements.
Looking beyond infrastructure
As the centre developed, Wild Tomorrow’s Community Conservation Manager, Aphiwe Notshaya, recognised that infrastructure was only one part of the journey.
Quality early learning, teacher development and strong business systems would also be important if Thelelulwazi was to progress towards government recognition and greater long-term sustainability.
To bring this specialised ECD expertise into the work already underway, Wild Tomorrow partnered with Grow ECD, investing in our three-year Small Business Programme for Thelelulwazi and another ECD centre in its community programme.
Through the programme, Grow ECD contributes teacher development, curriculum and learning resources, mentoring and practical ECD business tools.
Wild Tomorrow also appointed qualified teacher Jenny Machangu as its ECD Programme Manager to work directly alongside the teachers, implement the programme and help guide the certification journey.
It is a partnership built around different strengths: Wild Tomorrow’s long-term community investment and on-the-ground leadership, specialist expertise from partners like Grow ECD, Wild Impact, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and, most importantly, Thelelulwazi’s teachers putting it into practice every day.
A milestone years in the making
In 2026, there was wonderful news to celebrate: Thelelulwazi achieved Bronze certification and received its first government payment.
For a centre that began in a small shed with unpaid teachers, it is an important milestone in a much longer journey.
Reflecting on the achievement, Aphiwe shared:
“When I first started with Wild Tomorrow, this felt like such a huge and overwhelming task. To now be able to share with the team that we did this…it’s incredibly special.”
Thelelulwazi is already looking ahead. Before its next evaluation, plans include two additional classrooms, a sick bay, fire-safety equipment and continued improvements as the centre works towards higher levels of certification.
The journey demonstrates why partnerships matter. Different organisations don’t need to bring the same thing to the table. By combining different strengths and expertise around a shared goal, each contribution can become part of something bigger.
For Grow ECD, we are grateful to be one of the partners Wild Tomorrow has chosen to bring into Thelelulwazi’s journey and proud to contribute our ECD expertise to the work.
Congratulations to Thelelulwazi Crèche, Wild Tomorrow and the partners and donors who have contributed to this important milestone.
This story was originally shared by Wild Tomorrow and has been repurposed with their permission. Read the original story on Wild Tomorrow’s website here.