Froggies Aftercare, founded by the community for the community in July last year, is making a remarkable difference in the lives of the children of the Devon Valley farming community.
This NPO, which is based at Devon Valley Primary School, currently provides educational support in a safe and nurturing environment to 45 learners between age five and 10.
The aftercare facility is run by a dedicated group of local facilitators, who provide a hot meal, homework assistance, reading, maths and computer tutoring to the children. In addition, life-skills programmes, through sport and recreation as well as extensive volunteer involvement allow these children to flourish and grow.
The Devon Valley Farms Association provided the initial seed capital for the organisation and renders ongoing support, while individual donations from the Stellenbosch community and further afield enable Froggies Aftercare to keep flourishing.
Apart from providing a space that is safe, loving and stimulating for the youth, the team aims to support parents through outreach and parenting programmes. Froggies Aftercare is completely dependent on donations and all funds donated go towards supporting children from challenging circumstances.
Founding member Linda Macfarlane said support in terms of the donations of toys, books, stationery, sports and art equipment has been overwhelming.
“We are ever so grateful for the amazing support we’ve received since we started this programme, not only in terms of donations, but also for the outreach support from other schools and organisations like Pret op die Plaas, Samaritan’s Feet, The Cape Leopard Trust, Stellenbosch Municipality Grant-in-Aid Fund and Stellenbosch Feeding in Action,” she said.
“Froggies Aftercare is based at Devon Valley Primary, which provides a sound infrastructure at minimum cost. Facilitators hale from the local community and are actively involved as role models for the children. Over the past year, the team has revived the school library and launched an active reading programme.”
The team also intends to expand the aftercare programme to take in more children and a broader age group, but for now the focus remains on those in the foundation phase (Grade 0 to 3).
Although Froggies is an NPO, parents have to pay a nominal fee of R100 a month as part of their commitment to the upbringing of their children in partnership with Froggies.
“Froggies has been helping children grow for more than a year now,” Macfarlane pointed out.
“Our facilitators are amazing; you feel the love and commitment at the school, and the children are just so eager to learn. We know that with the necessary support Froggies Aftercare can continue to assist the children in becoming the best version of themselves.”
. Should you be interested in getting involved as a sponsor or volunteer visit www.froggiesaftercare.com or send an email to linda@froggiesaftercare.co.za.
