Lynedoch Crèche

The Lynedoch Crèche is situated in the Lynedoch EcoVillage.

The Lynedoch Crèche, linked with the Grade R of Lynedoch Primary School, creates space for up to 70 preschoolers for healing, sustainable living, play and joy with accredited staff, a beautiful learning environment and a place for being.

The children who come to the crèche are mainly from the families of local farm workers.  From a poverty-ridden context, many of the children face deep ravages of alcohol abuse due to the dop-system - a system of partial payment of wages to farm workers in alcohol dating back to days of colonialism, slavery and apartheid.

The crèche and Grade R staff is now:

• Ross van Niekerk – ECD level 5 national diploma, caregiver and community development worker
• Edith Swarts – crèche co-ordinator, ECD level 5 national diploma, qualified nurse, mid-wife and HIV/Aids diploma from Stellenbosch University
• Veronica Gelant – busy with ECD level 4 certificate
• Lisa Plaaitjies – assistant, in particular for the high number of FAS (Foetal Alcohol Syndrome) children

The funding for the children is provided by a network of UK based sponsors, facilitated by Spaceman, UK. Each sponsorship is 120 pounds. This provides 2 meals, tuition, tracksuit and school bag.

We are currently visiting farms as part of looking at a child holistically. Women workshops at the Lynedoch Guest House are held to empower women to encourage them to use peaceful and non-violent approaches within their families. Healing techniques are also taught, such as simple hand massage, to help women to deal with trauma that they may have experienced in their lives.

Lynedoch Crèche Gallery

(click on a thumbnail to see an enlarged version)