The Anwar Jakoet Foundation (AJF) visited three early-childhood development Educare Centres in the Grabouw area on 19 July to assist with much-needed support and resources.
The AJF is a non-profit that focuses on education in the early-childhood development (ECD) space and strives to reach young learners before they fall through the cracks. Engen’s recent fuel donation of R15 000 has enabled the AJF’s delivery vehicles, staff and volunteers to reach impoverished communities, often in remote rural areas.
Engen’s Head of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement, Dr James Nyawera, says: “We are proud to support the AJF and admire the work they are doing in the space as well as their humanitarian efforts. We hope our contribution makes a small difference.”
AJF founder Anwar Jakoet expressed his gratitude for the donation from Engen, which enabled the organisation to visit Rainbow Educare Centre, Minnie Mickeys ECD and Sweet Little Angels ECD Centre, where resources are often lacking, as many parents are seasonal farm workers and receive income for only half the year.
“We assisted with Educare Boxes containing stationery, puzzles, reading books, sports equipment, beanies and bulk food items for the young learners and food parcels for the educators,” he said. “As an extra bonus all learners received a goody bag with some treats as part of Mandela Day celebrations.”
Jakoet established the foundation two years ago in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It has since evolved and grown from supporting organisations in the Western Cape to a national footprint.
“In November last year we were supporting 23 ECD schools and just six months later, thanks to the support we have received, we are now able to assist 50 ECD schools,” Jakoet stated.
“Our biggest expense up until now has been fuel, as we travel the length and breadth of the Western Cape to reach forgotten dorpies. We can also now divest the funds we usually spend on fuel and use this to purchase ECD equipment such as Educare starter boxes, which include breakfast food items, toys, sports equipment, puzzles and so on.”
An ex-teacher with an entrepreneurial mindset, he pointed out that hungry children cannot learn.
“The ECD phase has been neglected big time in SA, which is extremely concerning as these foundation years have a long-term impact on a child’s future.
“We engage with the MPL for Education in the Western Cape Legislature and advise him on ECD development matters, which we encounter on our visits to ECDs in informal settlements, rural areas and the most impoverished areas and have implemented the Grow Educare programme, which assists ECDs on how best to run their business.”
The foundation has built partnerships with bulk food suppliers, sports companies and over 150 NPOs across the country, and support old-age homes, soup kitchens and orphanages. It stated that Engen was the first corporate company to come on board to assist.
The AJF are actively involved in the outreach programmes they support and personally visit impoverished areas.
The foundation, said Jakoet, doesn’t only hand food hampers out or donate money, but has a holistic approach and focuses on sustainable projects such as promoting the planting of vegetable gardens and provide food boxes to grow herbs for cooking.
They also host fun days with DJ’s and MCs and talks by sport and life coaches and motivational speakers. The foundation also trains teachers so they can continue to support learners.
Jakoet invites all interested companies who want to help make a difference to the AJF’s golf day in November.
“The greatest reward for the AJF Team are the warm smiles of the learners and the hugs we receive from ‘the little people’,” he concluded.
