Doing good together for our children

Protex collaborates with Ekukhanyeni Relief Project by building a food garden at ECD Centre in Lawley

An engaging collaboration with a non-profit company (NPC) and a much-loved South African soap brand, has brought a thriving food garden and more to an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre.

Building Blocks Set -which contain the artwork of the children at Lesedi centre

In May 2019, the collaboration with Protex and Ekukhanyeni Relief Project began. They, together with the parents of children attending Lesedi Pre-school and Day Care ECD Centre and community members of the informal settlement of Lawley, south of Johannesburg, joined hands to build a food garden at the Centre, reinforcing Protex’s brand purpose of “Doing Good Together”.

Protex chose to partner with Ekukhanyeni Relief Project as they share similar values and strive to make a difference in similar ways. Both Protex and Ekukhanyeni Relief Project have a holistic, family-oriented approach to community development that promotes social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being from grassroots level.

Ekukhanyeni team members helping community participants establish the new food garden at Lesedi ECD Centre

Liza Rossi, founder and executive director of Ekukhanyeni Relief Project, said, “Our core belief is that love, education and nutrition make a drastic difference in children’s lives, and it shapes the people they grow up to be.

“These are the same ethics that Protex holds close, hence we are working together to make a difference in the lives of these children.”

Protex focused on nutrition for this initiative because good nutrition is one of the fundamentals of effective ECD. Poor nutrition during early childhood development may cause delays in cognitive, behavioural, physical, social and emotional development.

Naturally grown, healthy, nutrient-rich food from the garden is essential for effective ECD and promotes healthy lifestyles for those living in impoverished areas who may not otherwise have access to a healthy diet.

Building Blocks Set -which contain the artwork of the children at Lesedi centre

Senior Brand Manager of Protex, Colgate-Palmolive South Africa said, “The food garden protects children from malnutrition, much like Protex’s products help protect children from germs.”

“However, it’s equally essential to educate children and caregivers on the importance of hygiene and sanitation in maintaining good health and protecting against germs – especially when many children share the same resources.Our partnership with Ekukhanyeni Relief Project is special because we both hold the community close to our hearts. We want to uplift the community through various educational and development programmes and to elevate their quality of life, assisting them to thrive.”

Sneak preview of the unveiling of Lesedi ECD Centre Food Garden and project launch, thanks to Protex South Africa.

Colgate-Palmolive also helped effect positive change at Lesedi Pre-school & Day Care Centre by donating two Protex-branded wash tables and water canisters, as well as Protex Deep Clean Tissue bar soaps. The other donations to the Centre were nap-time mattresses, heaters, water cups, a first-aid kit, a palisade fence, jolly chairs and tables. Lesedi’s classrooms’ exterior walls were painted as well.

Protex-branded overalls were also donated to the project volunteers, further boosting cohesion amongst project members and promoting local action.

Protex also donated a further two wash tables and water canisters for each of Ekukhanyeni Relief Project’s 15 additional beneficiary ECD Centres.

Lesedi Pre-school and Day Care ECD Centre has come a long way since it was established by Joice Lesitha in 2008, when Joice set out to provide a safe place for children during the day.

The Centre started as a shack backroom creche. It had no floors. Holes in the corrugated iron walls made it freezing cold in winter and extremely hot in summer, and there were no tables, chairs or mattresses, just old blankets on the floor. There was no running water and only a pit toilet. Joice and a caregiver would walk a dusty route to get water from a community water tank. Children received one basic meal a day and there was no formalised early learning curriculum.

Building Blocks Set -which contain the artwork of the children at Lesedi centre

“Many hands came together to make Lesedi ECD Centre what it is today. We are grateful to Protex and Ekukhanyeni Relief Project,” said Joice. “They showed how much they care about our children and mobilised a community to work together to have an immense, positive impact on the Centre.”

The partnership demonstrates the spirit of ubuntu, which bodes well for the future generation. 

#charity #ChildDevelopment #DoingGood