Over the past few weeks, we have seen tremendous progress in the children attending the Jujurha Early Learning Centre. They are far more outgoing, demanding (in the best possible way!), and engaging. We are also seeing the impact of the educational programme on their ability to do puzzles, to recognize and write numbers, to order and sort objects, to construct toys etc.

Read more

It has been both fascinating and frustrating to observe the extent to which the remoteness of Nqileni Village has impacted children’s experience and basic knowledge. As an example, during a recent classroom exercise, several children in the Grade R class referred to the South African currency as the ‘Pound’ (pronounced Pont).

Read more

Each of the 3 preschool classes recently enjoyed their first preschool ‘outing’. Wearing their new Shweshwe hats (made by the Bulungula Incubator micro-enterprise sewing project) and carrying their buckets and spades, they called in at the Bulungula Lodge on their way to the beach. Like children the world over, they were soon digging in the sand and building sandcastles.

Read more

Thanks to the generous support of Breadline Africa, Daddy Longlegs and the Ford Alumni Association, the Bulungula Incubator now feeds up to 250 children a day! Our two vegetable gardens – at No-ofisi school and the Jujurha Early Learning Centre – will soon produce enough vegetables for all of these meals …. and more.

Read more

The end of this founding year of the Jujurha Early Learning Centre was celebrated in each class with a party. The children enjoyed cooldrinks, ice lollies (a first for most of the children), chips and sweets which had been donated by Truworths and the Transnet Foundation on their recent visit. Party hats added to the festive spirit and happy children left with their equally happy Moms, clutching their reports which had a colour photo of each child on the front!

The Bulungula Incubator has invested time and resources in building classrooms to house the local government primary school. However, we are deeply disappointed by the fact that the quality of education within these new classrooms remains exceptionally poor. As part of our efforts to support No-ofisi, we have been facilitating weekly workshops with the School Governing Body.

Click here to view

We had the great fortune of being able to observe the children’s delight as they enjoyed their first tastes of watermelon, popcorn and jelly! The kids watched in amazement as the corn kernels that they know so well from their own annual harvests puffed into unfamiliar fluffy popcorns. This activity will no doubt also become a regular feature on the preschool programme.

Read more

Our after-school tutoring programme (for Grade 1, 2 and 3 learners from the local primary school) has been an enormous success. We have around 20 learners daily and these are divided into smaller groups with two teachers each. The children enjoy the opportunity to explore puzzles, books and educational toys and the programme has a strong emphasis on developing the children’s numeracy skills.

Read more

A gallery of fun

These pictures provide a snapshot of some of the fun and creative activities that fill the Jujurha days and that help to develop the skills and broaden the experiences of our preschool children.

Read more

The Essential Oils (EO) project is one of several Sustainable Livelihoods projects run by the Bulungula Incubator. The EO project began in February this year, with the establishment of one project plot of lemongrass (about 50mx50m). This plot enabled us to grow sufficient lemongrass to supply root stock to our first 5 community farmers.

Read more

Bulungula is a magical place to visit! Not surprisingly, many visitors to the Bulungula Lodge ask about opportunities to volunteer at the BI for various lengths of time. Much of the work that we do depends on the generosity of volunteers and so we are always open to exploring possibilities. However, the challenges of living in this remote rural area are felt by even the hardiest of volunteers.

Read more