Adams Mission, Day-Care Centre Keeps Young Children Off The Street, Thanks To R460 000 Buildings Donation
For Immediate Release:
27 October 2022
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An Umbumbulu, Amanzimtoti, day-care centre battling to accommodate very young children – who
were otherwise roaming the streets unsupervised – in spite of its unfinished buildings has been
given a R460 000 boost by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT).
The Mickey and Minnie Day Care Centre was established in 2018 when it became clear parents
having to go to work were being forced to leave small children at home alone. A fear that youngsters
left to roam the streets could be knocked down, become lost or even abducted led to the facility’s
establishment, in spite of a plethora of challenges, not least of which included severe financial
constraints.
Speaking at the recent official handover of newly completed SAMCT-funder buildings at the centre,
SAMCT representative, Mr Gaff Osman, said: “The sobering reality across many of South Africa’s
historically disadvantaged communities is that very few day-care facilities exist and those that do
prove expensive, opening the door to numerous small children being left to roam the streets on a
daily basis, simply because both parents must work in order to eke out a meagre living for their
families.”
“The provision of effective child-care facilities within such communities is, therefore, absolutely
crucial – these innocents are simply too young to spend time unattended, are not street-wise and
are therefore susceptible to accidents, becoming lost, adduction for trafficking purposes, rape and
the like. This must be hugely worrying for parents away from home all day every day.”
He indicated that proper child-care provided an invaluable service.
“It gives parents the freedom and, importantly, the peace-of-mind to work, it provides a community
atmosphere and – most significantly – it affords the developmental benefits which enable very
young children to realise their full potential,” he added.
The Mickey and Minnie Day Care Centre was established because parents had to work in spite of
there being nobody available to take care of their children.
“However, with a lot of children coming from disadvantaged and even destitute backgrounds,
generating fee income for the service has proved exceptionally difficult for the facility. This means
that very necessary infrastructural development at the centre has proved a major financial burden
on this young day-care facility, which has made exceptional strides in spite of the obstacles it faces
each and every day. Not only does this facility provide a safe haven for the youngsters in its charge,
it works to stimulate their growth and development, as well as providing two nutritious meals every
day…. for some, these are the only meals they get,” Mr Osman said.
Having previously assisted the Mickey and Minnie Day Care Centre with creche renovation and being
impressed by the passion and dedication of the staff, in spite of the financial constraints and other
challenges they faced, it was apparent that additional infrastructural work commenced was at a
stand-still because of a serious lack of funds.
Mr Osman stressed: “The South African Muslim Charitable Trust was pleased to again step into the
breech, providing the necessary funding to ensure the completion of the building work and, thus,
bringing the facility to a point where it could really make a meaningful difference in the lives of all
those it serves, while extending its services to additional incoming children… a move which has a
massively positive effect on the community, safe in the knowledge that its youngsters are being
properly cared for and not running the multitude of risks they would otherwise face on the streets.”
The SAMCT was created in 2008, the result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al
Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds.
This has ensured that the South African Muslim Charitable Trust is the beneficiary of this Shariah
suite of funds, enabling it to provide funding, services and other resources for the improvement of
the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has been singularly successful in
delivering sizeable assistance solutions throughout South Africa – irrespective of race or religion –
and continues to work to support needy organisations in the fields of social development, poverty
alleviation, healthcare and education.
He added: “In view of this, the SAMCT was exceptionally pleased to make the buildings donation to
an organisation which has displayed such concern for the community, such commitment to child
safety and development and such dedication to changing the lives of both parents and children here.
I hope and trust that the completed buildings will make a significant difference to the day-care
activities you provide and that you will be successful in enticing more youngsters into your care and
away from the ever-present dangers of the streets.”
“With fit and proper infrastructure in place, the staff of the Mickey and Minnie Day Care Centre can
now fully concentrate their efforts on providing the foundation of routines and schedules, which will
assist in the youngsters in their care developing good habits later in life. There can be no question
that routines and rules form an important part of the cognitive development of children and this will
pay-off handsomely at school and at home,” he concluded.
ends
For more information about SAMCT or its Dr. Macken Mistry Primary School desks and chairs donation, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za