How We Work To Remove Barriers of Education – Volume 3, Episode 3: Thanda
In the rural community of Mtwalume, South Africa, children face immense challenges in accessing quality early childhood education and support, particularly for girls. Here, the challenges are significant: with an average annual household income less than $1,000 and a 10% employment rate, poverty is widespread, and gender-based violence is prevalent, affecting as many as 40% of women and girls. With a high prevalence of poverty and limited access to resources, early education becomes crucial in helping children prepare for future academic and social success. Another major issue is teacher retention. Without fair compensation and adequate support, communities lose qualified teachers. But organizations like Thanda are working to tackle these challenges head-on.
Thanda is a community-based organization located in rural Mtwalume, South Africa, dedicated to fostering essential social-emotional skills, strengthening academic foundations, and reducing educational barriers among vulnerable populations, particularly girls and women. Founded in 2008, Thanda aims to create safer, more resilient communities by equipping children with the knowledge and life skills necessary for long-term success while supporting sustainable livelihoods for their families.
Access to an Early Childhood Development Center is rare for many children in this region, leading to unpreparedness for formal schooling and compounded difficulties like food insecurity. Thanda’s Early Childhood Development project tackles these inequities by offering holistic, foundational education for young girls while providing sustainable employment for local women. This project focuses on pre-primary education, an ideal period for rapid mental and social-emotional development. The curriculum integrates daily programs that prioritize proper nutrition and address key developmental areas, including language and literacy, numeracy, physical development, social and emotional growth, cognitive and perceptual skills, general knowledge, and creative arts. Through these programs, girls acquire the skills needed to break free from a “failure to thrive” mentality, gaining the resilience, confidence, and enthusiasm for learning that can shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Thanda has reached over 35,000 individuals and servs more than 2,200 beneficiaries each week. By providing education, food security through organic farming, and community-building initiatives, Thanda’s efforts extend beyond academic growth, addressing the underlying challenges faced by the community.