When Zande started at Thanda ECD she could not speak and her mother was concerned she had a permanent disability. Thanda’s Head ECD Facilitator, Nokuthula, said she used to put her teeth together and when she would try to speak she would making a humming sound. So Nokuthula practiced activities with her that she had learnt during her LETCEE training, such as blowing balloons and singing certain songs to open up her mouth and use those muscles.

Nokuthula said “Because I didn’t want to take Zande out of the group, I did the activities with all of my kids. I think by March or June she was able to speak well, and then her mother came to Thanda to say thank you.”  Zande’s mom, Hlengiwe was so grateful and said “At Thanda, children get together with other children and teachers give them love, she (Nokuthula) takes care of my child.” Because of doing those activities and having ongoing communication with Hlengiwe we were able to help further outside of the classroom and at home.

In fact, Hlengiwe was so grateful that she decided to come and volunteer at Thanda as an ECD Assistant this year! As for Zande, she is just finishing Grade R with passing grades!

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