Mathomomayo is a crèche in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, which Sotho name means “We’re moving forward now”, and forward is indeed the direction in which owner Lekina Mashile and her brave efforts to daily care for 44 toddlers is heading – thanks to the ongoing support of farmers and schools in the area.
Located in the Acornhoek informal settlement, Mathomomayo is known as a “drop-off centre” where parents can leave their children while they are at work. However, most parents don’t have the means to pay for day care, putting the centre in a position where it has to rely on assistance and donations.
Hilary Weyers, manager of Skilderkrans, a citrus farm owned and managed by SAFE, says Mashile came to see him about three years ago and asked if Skilderkrans, where her niece has been a secretary for the last nine years, could lend a hand.
“Our junior manager, Jaco Visser, and my family started helping by providing the centre with food every month, some funds and Christmas gifts at the end of the year. These kids often arrive hungry at the centre. It’s important that they get proper nutrition, otherwise they’ll fall ill,” says Weyers.
Soon the whole Weyers family became involved. Hilary’s wife, Tineke, a teacher at the Drakensig Primary School, helped with sourcing much needed stationery, while student daughters Antje and Elizma plan to build a playground at Mathomomayo this December, using material from the farm.
Earlier Weyers donated pipes and window frames he recovered from knocked-down farm buildings, restored and repainted. Thanks to this donation, the centre now has running water.
The next project is to build another building to give Mashile and her two volunteer assistants more space to care and cook for the children. And of course, this year’s Christmas gifts, which normally are essential items such as stationery, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as cool drinks and snacks.
Asked why Skilderkrans became and stays involved in Mathomomayo, Weyers explains: “When one earns a salary, you often don’t realise how great the basic needs of others are. We’re very privileged to be employed, and we do this to assist people. One cannot help but be touched by the gratitude of these kids and the Mathomomayo staff.”