Foundation calls for action to support climate-resilient early learning centres this Mandela Day
This year's campaign revolves around a compelling premise: 'A better climate future begins with the children. And this change starts with play.'
With climate change leading to increasing occurrences of heatwaves, floods, and droughts, younger generations are proving incredibly vulnerable.
Many under-resourced ECD centres, where foundational learning occurs, are directly affected, often operating in extreme conditions characterised by inadequate infrastructure, lack of shade, and poor access to clean water, hindering children's health and development.
'This Mandela Day, your contribution goes far beyond infrastructure; it's an investment in a child's future,' emphasises Warren Farrer, CEO of the DO MORE FOUNDATION.
'We're calling on South Africans to unite with purpose and compassion, creating safe, nurturing spaces for children to learn, play, and grow amidst the shifting climate.'
Last year, their 'Mandela Day of Play' effort mobilised over 25 corporate partners and 500 volunteers, culminating in significant upgrades to 192 ECD centres and enhancing play opportunities for approximately 9,600 young children.
This year, the foundation is expanding its focus, inviting individuals, corporations, and community partners to join a national initiative aimed at transforming early learning centres across nine rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal, North-West, Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo. Upgrades will include: Safe, shaded play areas to protect children from excessive heat
Planting drought-resistant trees
Installing water harvesting kits for access to clean water
Providing solar-powered appliances, such as fans and lights
Offering age-appropriate climate play packs to educate children about seasons and weather patterns
Implementing climate education and training for ECD practitioners
As part of the campaign, corporate volunteers will devote their 67 minutes to assembling Climate Resilience Play Packs, interactive tools designed to teach 2- to 5-year-olds essential concepts of climate change in a fun and accessible manner. Dr Jessica Ronaasen, the Foundation's Advocacy and Innovation Lead, states, 'Early childhood is such a powerful time to foster awareness and encourage proactive behaviours.'
By equipping teachers, parents, and carers with strategies to instil everyday climate actions—such as conserving water, protecting trees, or ensuring safety during extreme weather—we are nurturing a generation that is more in tune with their environment and better equipped for an uncertain future.
In addition to volunteering, the foundation also invites individuals unable to participate in person to engage through various sponsorship opportunities.
Initiatives begin at just R67 for a Climate Resilience Play Pack, while higher tiers can provide complete upgrades for ECD centres, enhancing them with climate-adaptive tools and infrastructure. This investment promises to transform under-resourced ECD centres into safer, cooler, and more joyful spaces for learning and play.
'ECD centres are often the heart of their communities. Practitioners do incredible work, often with very little support,' observes Jabu Mthembu-Dlamini, Community Programmes Lead at the DO MORE FOUNDATION.
'By upgrading these spaces, we protect children and demonstrate that climate action can begin right in their own communities.'
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