In the heart of the Strand community, a guiding light shines brightly.
Smiling Child NPC, a non-profit organisation founded by Sharon Engelbrecht, is dedicated to transforming the lives of disadvantaged children. With a compassionate heart and a relentless drive she is working tirelessly to ensure every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Engelbrecht’s journey towards founding Smiling Child was inspired by her own experiences as a foster parent and her deep-rooted commitment to community service spanning over three decades.
Having witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by vulnerable children, she recognised the urgent need for educational intervention.
“When we moved to Strand I got involved with an NPO called Turn a Round, which does community work in Morkels Cottage, Rusthof,” Engelbrecht said.
“It was here that I saw how many children are not going to school. The more I got involved in community work the more problems I saw that are not easily fixed. I saw children who were not only deprived of basic necessities but also lacked access to quality education. I realised education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering these children to build better futures for themselves.
“Motivated by our Christian faith, we are committed to responding to the educational needs of children who are shut out of the traditional school system or are at risk of educational failure for reasons beyond their control. We aim at developing compassionate relationships and a supportive environment to overcome obstacles to learning.”
Smiling Child’s primary mission is to provide a solid educational foundation for children aged eight to 13 who are not enrolled in formal schooling. By offering a specialised curriculum that focuses on literacy, numeracy, and life skills, the organisation aims to equip these children with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
“We believe that every child deserves a chance,” Engelbrecht emphasises. “Our goal is to create a nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.”
To achieve this ambitious goal, Smiling Child has partnered with Open Schools Worldwide, an international organisation with a proven track record of providing education to marginalised children. Through this collaboration Smiling Child will train local volunteers to deliver the curriculum and create a supportive learning environment.
Engelbrecht underscores the importance of community involvement in the success of Smiling Child. “We want this to be a community-driven initiative,” she said.
“By involving local volunteers, we can ensure that the programme is tailored to the specific needs of the community and that the children receive the support they deserve.”
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme, Smiling Child is actively seeking funding from various sources, including corporate sponsorships, grants, and individual donations.
The organisation is also committed to evaluating the impact of its programmes to measure its effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.
A breakfast held on Monday 2 December at Vamos restaurant on Strand Beach Road was the first of many fundraisers being planned going forward.
As Smiling Child continues to grow and expand its reach, Engelbrecht envisions a future where every child in the Strand community has access to quality education.
