Wisdom Creche: School Receives Water, Lights and a New Garden

A group of medical students in their third year at the University of the Free State recently brought happiness to the children of the Wisdom crèche in Bloemfontein. It formed part of their compulsory community outreach module, where they must bring help to selected charity and non-government organisations.

The Wisdom crèche was established in 1999 and moved to the current site in 2009. It is a relatively small pre-school, situated in Phase 4, an impoverished suburb on the outskirts of Bloemfontein. A coordinator and two teachers work at the crèche daily from 06:00 to 18:00 and take care of about 30 children, from babies to six year-olds. Daily activities include examining their health , music and rhymes, colouring-in, story-telling and teaching children some numeracy skills. These activities are, however, limited because of a lack of the necessary resources.

The children also receive two meals at a daily basis which are provided by the school on a meagre budget of just R600 per month.

With the help of sponsors the students managed to supply the crèche with water and electricity. The nursery's geyser was flooded a few years ago and the walls were full of mold which is very harmful to children's health. The students made the classroom moisture resistant, and also painted the walls. They also had the baby room cleaned.

The group further planted grass in the yard for the physical activities of the children. There was no garden at all before.

While some of the students were working at improving the building and garden, some of the others played with the children and taught them how to work with clay and also to brush their teeth.

"The school plays an important role in the community and with a little bit of extra help from outside, they can reach their full potential", says Marischka de Jong, the groupleader.