Masiphumelele ECD Project Funded by the City of Cape Town & Nussbaum Foundation
This was an example of how a project can change significantly after consultation with community role- players. In the project proposal, the main focus was on the training of ECD practitioners in the use of role-play and toys in child development. With input from the community, the focus changed to working side-by-side with the Family and Community Motivators (trained by ELRU) to demonstrate to families, practitioners and motivators how play activities form an important role in development and intervention goals. The programme included practical sessions with the FCM workers of the community, as well as the parents and children in the original FCM programme. Some toys were provided and prepared for ongoing use and sustainability. Mary Clark reported very positively on the outcomes which could be achieved with this approach, despite financial and time constraints.