10 Jan 2017

While most of the VDC members often find themselves trapped in challenges of financial constraints which even make it difficult for them to embark in a meaningful economic activity that would benefit the community and help the committee fulfill its mandate, Mandunyane VDC has a different story to tell.

Their successful economic activity is that of a fully functional pre-school, which started operating since 2007.

Tonota Sub-council also assists with necessities such as toys and stationery.

The chairperson of Mandunyane VDC, Mr Folly Doctor said the pre-school was a donation from a World Vision Charity Club from the United States of America, whose members visited the village to help the disadvantaged and engage in other charitable activities.

“In the early 1980s a social club from America had a short stay here to engage in some charitable activities. When they were about to go back in the 1990s, the village elders pleaded with them to construct a pre-school,” he said.

Mr Doctor said the club then built a two-roomed structure and left it at window level and later in 2000 Tonota Sub-council availed funds to finish the entire project.

He said although the project was finished a while ago, they had to delay operations due to some challenges, they only started operating in 2007.

“We started operating from the little savings we had and we bought office equipment while other necessities were offered by the Tonota Sub-council,” he said.

Mr Doctor said they have also received notable support from the Tati Nickel Mining Company (TNMC), saying the company built a hall with a storeroom and a kitchenette.

Moreover, he said the TNMC refurbished the playgrounds of the pre- school at a cost of P50 000.

Mandunyane Pre-school has become a beacon of hope which does not only serve the interest of the committee.

To some residents it is a means to butter their bread while to some it is a safe haven to take their children for pre-elementary education and social development.

“The pre-school has created employment opportunity to five people, who are engaged on a full time basis,” he said.

Mr Doctor further said as of last year they had enrolled 75 children each of whom paid P800 per term, adding that when they closed at the end of the year they were left with 42 children as some had graduated to standard one.

He said although the school runs well, they still feel challenged as they cannot fully cater for children living with disabilities.

“We have keen interest to enroll more of the children living with disabilities, however we are still failing because we do not have adequate resources to accommodate them,” he said.

Mr Doctor also said the other challenge is that of some parents who do not cooperate in terms of payment of school fees and that of teachers who leave for greener pastures without prior notice. ENDS