Facilitators need to know when and how to make referrals when implementing book-sharing and other community programmes. When the Mikhulu Trust trains facilitators in our parenting programme, we also make sure that they are well equipped to deal with psychosocial problems that can affect parents. We know that parents and facilitators develop trusting and comfortable relationships. Parents may share their personal challenges or problems with the facilitator. Parents may need pr

For ten weeks this winter, the Mikhulu Trust was the happy host to two fantastic interns, Anna Alstad and Tone Solberg. They worked closely with the training team to help us determine how to improve our training materials, including our training slides, handouts and flip charts. Hailing from Norway, Anna and Tone, found the transport in Cape Town somewhat challenging but flung themselves into their new environment wholeheartedly, bringing enthusiasm and energy to their task.

During a routine support visit to Mfesane, Puseletso Mofokeng spoke to some parents participating in the book-sharing training. It's amazing to hear how this simple initiative can promote self-awareness about parenting practices. Nozuko Nkunzana shared her how the programme has boosted her confidence to share books with her child. "Before, when my daughter was little, every time she had a reading task from school she would ask me to assist her by reading with her. Most of the

During June and July, facilitators from Living Hope conducted an eight week session on the book-sharing programme with five mothers and their young children living in the Masiphumelele township in Cape Town, situated between Kommetjie, Capri Village and Noordhoek. These parents attended an hour and a half session each week. In each session a new book and different book-sharing technique was introduced. The mothers each had a chance to practice the skills they learned in the s

“Few things make the life of a parent more rewarding and sweet as successful children.” Nelson Mandela On 18 July 2019, the Mikhulu Trust took part in the Mandela day programme hosted by Sikhula Sonke. This community celebration took place in Mew Way in Khayelitsha. Educare teachers and Sikhula Sonke Facilitators enjoying themselves doing ECD activities with local children. These included morning ring activities outside and paintings inside. The Mikhulu Trust had an opportuni

We have raised over R80 000 through our recent crowdfunding campaign to print our new books. Thank you so much to all the incredibly generous supporters who helped us reach this goal! We will be able to print over 4000 copies of the books to distribute free of charge to parents and ECD practitioners who have been trained in book-sharing. About the books To date, the Mikhulu Trust has published eight wordless picture books including five books for 2-5 year olds (Little Helpers

On 28 June 2019 we officially launched a series of six new wordless picture books. Thanks to all the colleagues, partners and friends who attended the event at the fabulous Harare Public Library in Khayelitsha. It was a wonderful celebration of the hard work that has gone into realising this dream. Three of the illustrators were able to attend the event: Lyn Gilbert, Moloko Mabotja and Mafotse Mashweshwe. At the event they shared their experiences of creating these wonderful

Any education expert will tell you that a child’s home environment is critical to shaping their future — well before they even enter school. By a child’s fourth birthday, their future aggression levels can be predicted by the quality of their relationship with their parents and the extent to which they have learned to control their emotions. By age six, a child’s language development and ability to focus their attention predict their later school performance and future employ