How to create many happy young faces

KNYSNA NEWS - Local shopping centre Woodmill Lane has once again lent a hand to members of the community who needed a little help, this time by extending help to Hornlee-based crèche Happy Faces Educare.

Happy Faces Educare was started by Elizabeth Swartz in 1996. Initially there were 20 children in the care of the crèche, which she ran from her own home. She used her own funds to educate and feed the children.

Elizabeth managed to find other premises in 2008, but it was destroyed by a fire. The next premises they moved to was flooded and they had to move once more.

With the help of the Knysna Education Trust and through a partnership with the Apostolic Faith Mission's Koinonia Church (AFM Church) in Hornlee, a piece of land next to the AFM Church was secured and a pre-school was built in 2015.

However, this won't last much longer as the church looks to repurpose the land on which the crèche is, meaning Happy Faces will soon have to pack and find new premises once again.

The 74 children that are currently in the crèche's care are educated by five teachers and the crèche employs a chef who prepares breakfast and lunch for the children.

The parents do pay school fees but it is not enough to cover all of their expenses, therefore they have been relying on the Department of Social Development (DSD) for funding.

"Sadly, the DSD will be withdrawing its funding effective immediately, whereafter the Department of Education (DOE) will assist with funding," said Woodmill Lane Shopping Centre general manager Madelé van Niekerk.

"Unfortunately, Elizabeth does not know when the funding from the DOE will kick in, leaving the pre-school without funding for an uncertain amount of time. Elizabeth explained that they have minimal available funds for food and stationery."

In light of this, Van Niekerk decided to donate R2 500 to Happy Faces in the form of a Pick n Pay voucher. "With this voucher, the school will be able to purchase food items or stationery when needed.

According to Elizabeth, the voucher could not have come at a better time as the coming months, without the DSD's funding, will be very tough for the pre-school," she said.

Furthermore, Van Niekerk noted that their playground needs a splash of colour too. "I therefore also sponsored our old play area sign to the crèche to brighten up their play area," she said.

Woodmill Lane handymen Koos Fourie and Micouvin Fourie (far right) present the playground sign to Happy Faces founder Elizabeth Swartz.