Child Protection Week
01 June 2025
Child Protection Week
28 May – 04 June
Nelson Mandela Day
18 July 2025
This year’s theme, "Protecting Children in the Digital World", shone a spotlight on the growing challenges and opportunities presented by technology. With children increasingly engaging online, the focus was on safeguarding them from cyber risks such as exploitation, bullying, and inappropriate content, while also harnessing digital tools to enhance learning and development.
LETCEE embraced this dual approach by integrating digital literacy into our programs, equipping children with the skills to navigate the online space safely. Our team collaborated with local partners, including educators from Indlovana Primary School, to host a series of engaging workshops and awareness sessions. These events covered topics like online safety, responsible technology use, and the importance of parental guidance, fostering a community-wide dialogue on child protection.
Photo: LETCEE team with Indlovana Primary School partners during Child Protection Week 2025.
The image above captures a poignant moment from our Child Protection Week activities, where our dedicated staff and community leaders joined forces to create safe and nurturing learning environments. Through interactive sessions, we emphasized the role of caregivers and educators in building resilience against digital threats.
This aligns with LETCEE’s broader mission, delivered through our 6 ECD centres, 42 Abahambi facilitators, and inclusive Play Able Project, which together provide holistic support to children from infancy through their early years. Our efforts also extend to older youth via the Powergirls and Boys Programmes, ensuring a continuum of care and empowerment.
This Child Protection Week, we took pride in our longstanding recognition as a leader in ECD. Our 2009 UNICEF endorsement for the innovative Family-Based ECD model and the recent TLASA Award 2023/24 for our toy library initiatives underscore our dedication to creating safe, inclusive spaces for learning and growth.
We invite you to join us in this ongoing mission to safeguard and uplift our children. Visit www.letcee.org or email info@letcee.org to learn more about how you can support our efforts to build a brighter, safer future for the communities of uMzinyathi and beyond.
Photo: LETCEE team with Indlovana Primary School partners during Child Protection Week 2025.
The Little Elephant Training Centre for Early Education (LETCEE) honored Nelson Mandela Day with unwavering commitment, embodying the 2025 theme, “It is still in our hands to combat poverty & inequity.” Across our Integrated, Smart Start, and Training departments, we poured our hearts into transformative initiatives that uplifted communities, revitalized spaces, and spread hope. Here’s a detailed reflection on the inspiring activities our teams at LETCEE carried out to celebrate Madiba’s enduring legacy.
The Integrated team at LETCEE embraced Mandela Day with two impactful activities: home visits to support families in need and a vibrant painting project at the Izingane Zethu ECD Centre.
In alignment with the Mandela Day theme, the LETCEE Integrated team, guided by our dedicated community and home visit facilitator, visited two families in Matimatolo. These visits were a heartfelt commitment to addressing poverty and inequity directly in our communities.
After engaging with the families, it was evident they would benefit from ongoing support. LETCEE pledged to provide this through sustained integration efforts in the field. The families expressed profound gratitude for the donations and encouragement they received, reinforcing the power of collective action. As our Team Lead passionately declared, “Phambili!”—forward together, united in making a difference.
The Integrated team also celebrated Mandela Day by transforming the Izingane Zethu ECD Centre with a fresh coat of paint. This vibrant project brought together an incredible group of stakeholders, including the Department of Social Development, Greytown CYCC and their children, WDB, Child Welfare, The Thought, and Umvoti Aids Centre with their soccer team.
The day was filled with energy and camaraderie as we painted the centre, creating a brighter, more inviting space for the children. Our partners went above and beyond, with Umvoti Aids Centre donating books and games to enrich the children’s learning and play experiences. This collaborative effort reflected LETCEE’s mission to foster community-driven change and left everyone inspired by the spirit of unity.
Fezile Sokhela and Qinisile Sithole from Zamokuhle Creche in eMsinga Top, who joined LETCEE’s Smart Start program in 2024, seized the opportunity to make a tangible difference for a family in need. Their passion for community upliftment shone brightly on Mandela Day.
The Smart Start team identified the Hlongwane family as needing urgent support. With enthusiasm and compassion, they rallied to collect essential items, including shoes, children’s clothes, learning materials, a sleeping mat, a TV stand, and more. During their visit, the team not only delivered these donations but also shared words of encouragement with Mrs. Hlongwane. They emphasized the transformative power of education, urging her to continue sending her children to the ECD centre.
Mrs. Hlongwane’s heartfelt gratitude and radiant smile were a testament to the impact of LETCEE’s Smart Start initiative. This act of kindness exemplified our commitment to creating brighter futures for children and families in our communities.
On the 31st of July 2025, LETCEE’s Training Department joined forces with the Smart Start and Integrated teams to honor Mandela Day at Nkanyiso Creche. This collaborative project, supported by the generous donation of paint and painting equipment from Build-It Greytown, aimed to revitalize the creche’s classroom environment.
Together, we repainted the entire space in bright, child-friendly colors, creating a warm and stimulating atmosphere for learning and play. The transformation was more than cosmetic—it was a powerful symbol of hope and opportunity for the children who spend their days at Nkanyiso Creche.
This project highlighted the strength of teamwork and the importance of community partnerships in improving early learning spaces. The day was a resounding success, leaving both the LETCEE team and the creche community inspired by the spirit of giving and collaboration that defines Mandela Day.
Nelson Mandela Day 2025 was a powerful reminder of what the Little Elephant Training Centre for Early Education can achieve when we unite with purpose and compassion. From supporting families in need to transforming learning environments, our Integrated, Smart Start, and Training departments embodied Madiba’s vision of a more equitable and caring world.
As we reflect on these efforts, we are reminded that it is still in our hands to make a difference. With every act of kindness, every collaboration, and every step forward—Phambili!—LETCEE honors Nelson Mandela’s legacy while building brighter futures for our communities.
Thank you to our dedicated teams, partners, and stakeholders for making Mandela Day 2025 a truly impactful and unforgettable celebration of unity and service. Together, we are creating lasting change.
On the 23rd of August 2025, the Integrated Community Programmes (ICP) team from LETCEE proudly participated in the KZN ECD Collaboration Network Conference at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Edgewood Campus. Themed "ECD Matters," this inspiring event brought together educators, policymakers, researchers, and early childhood development (ECD) practitioners across KwaZulu-Natal to share innovative ideas and strengthen early education. Showcasing our community-driven initiatives, our team left the conference energized and more committed than ever to empowering young learners and their communities.
For over 30 years, LETCEE has transformed early childhood development in rural and underserved areas of KZN. Through our Integrated Community Programmes, we empower ECD practitioners, parents, and communities with training, resources, and innovative projects like toy libraries and agricultural initiatives. Our mission is to create inclusive, play-based, and culturally relevant learning environments, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. At LETCEE, we believe ECD matters because it shapes the future of our children and society.
Hosted by the KZN Department of Education and UKZN's Faculty of Education, the conference was held at the renowned Edgewood Campus, a hub for teacher education. The theme "ECD Matters" resonated deeply with our mission, highlighting the critical role of early education in fostering resilient, confident children. The event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops, creating a vibrant platform for collaboration and innovation in ECD.
Our ICP team showcased LETCEE's transformative programs, demonstrating how we make ECD matter in KZN's communities. Highlights included:
Accredited Practitioner Training: Equipping educators with skills for play-based, inclusive learning to support children's cognitive, emotional, and social growth.
Toy Libraries: Bringing educational toys to rural children, sparking creativity and learning through play.
Parenting and Community Engagement: Empowering parents and caregivers through workshops to strengthen family involvement in early education.
Agricultural Initiatives: Integrating food security and sustainability to support holistic child development and community resilience.
Our presentation inspired lively discussions with attendees, who were captivated by our community-driven model. Success stories, like the joy our toy libraries bring to rural children and the impact of our training on inclusive classrooms, underscored LETCEE's role in advancing ECD.
A keynote address by a leading ECD expert emphasized play-based learning and culturally responsive teaching, aligning with LETCEE's approach. The speaker highlighted how quality early education bridges developmental gaps, reinforcing our focus on practitioner training. A panel discussion on collaboration between government, NGOs, and institutions echoed prior KZN ECD initiatives, with KZN Department of Education representatives sharing updates on improving access to quality ECD. Workshops on trauma-informed teaching, inclusive education, and technology in early learning provided practical tools, resonating with our efforts to train adaptable, inclusive educators.
The conference reaffirmed that ECD matters—for every child, family, and community. Showcasing our work connected us with fellow ECD advocates, inspiring us to integrate new insights into our programs. The event highlighted the need for continued advocacy to secure policy and funding support for ECD, a cause LETCEE passionately supports. The sense of community and shared purpose left us motivated to keep empowering educators and families.
The KZN ECD Collaboration Network Conference 2025 was a transformative experience for LETCEE's ICP team. We are more determined than ever to create nurturing, inclusive environments where young learners can thrive. We extend our gratitude to UKZN, the KZN Department of Education, and the organizers for hosting this impactful event. LETCEE looks forward to building on these connections and continuing our mission to make ECD matter across KZN.
Join us in shaping the future of early childhood development! Learn more about our programs at www.letcee.org or contact the Little Elephant Training Centre for Early Education. Together, let's build strong foundations for tomorrow's leaders.
View ECD Matters GalleryOn the 30th of August 2025, the lush fairways of the Greytown Golf Club in KwaZulu-Natal were filled with enthusiasm and purpose as LETCEE hosted its annual Golf Day. This vibrant fundraising event brought together golfers and supporters from our community to swing for a good cause.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Greytown Golf Club, the day was a perfect blend of friendly competition and heartfelt generosity. Participants teed off to raise vital funds for LETCEE's programmes, which focus on Early Childhood Development in underserved communities. Every drive, chip, and putt brought us closer to creating brighter futures for those we serve.
The LETCEE Golf Day began with a warm welcome at the Greytown Golf Club, where players enjoyed a morning coffee spread, opening remarks, and team photos. The course came alive as teams competed in a Betterball Stableford format, chasing fun prizes while soaking in the scenic beauty of Greytown's rolling greens. Beyond the fairways, attendees connected over a raffle, dinner, and a networking session, sharing stories of how LETCEE's work transforms lives.
At LETCEE, we believe in working with communities to meet their needs, a value that resonated throughout the event. Inspired by one of our team member's reflections on how LETCEE fosters growth and community collaboration, we saw this spirit in the dedication of every participant. From sponsors to staff, everyone played a part in making this day a true celebration of empowerment.
The funds raised at the Greytown Golf Club will directly support LETCEE's initiatives. A huge thank you to everyone who made the Golf Day a success: We especially appreciate the Greytown Country Club for hosting us. Together, we're driving change for South Africa's children.
Couldn't join us? You can still make an impact! Visit www.letcee.org to support LETCEE's mission or stay tuned for next year's Golf Day. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and stories of transformation.
Let's keep swinging for change at Greytown and beyond!
With gratitude,
The LETCEE Team
