On 16th August 2025, Bienvenu Shelter was honored to host a parents’ workshop at Lovely Bears Creche, facilitated by the C.O.O, Creche Teacher, and Social Worker. We were blessed to have two representatives from Bez Valley Clinic.
The creche teacher shared information on Early Childhood Development (ECD) and the importance of ensuring children develop holistically from a young age. This session focused on different dimensions of development such as emotional, physical, and spiritual development and ways parents can support their child in their development. Additionally, the session included developmental milestones for children and the role of caregivers in ensuring these milestones are achieved. She also talked about the upcoming graduation for children advancing to grade one next year.
Representatives from Bez Valley Clinic spoke about the importance and urgency of ensuring all children are up to date with their vaccinations. This would ensure children do not get conditions that are irreversible and that diseases are not infected from one child to another. There was further discussion on the public vaccination drives that are ongoing and where to access this. The discussion on health included the importance of antenatal care for women who are pregnant as childcare starts from that point. These representatives also spoke about the importance of family planning, ensuring parents can provide the best care for their children’s development. HIV and Aids was also discussed and testing is available at the clinic.
The shelter social worker spoke about access to school for all children, regardless of nationality. The social worker shared the process of online applications for children going to grade one and grade eight next year as well as the closing date for these applications. She also shared documents parents will need when doing their application for grade 1, 8, and children transferring schools. Other information shared included amendments to the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA) and implications of some of these changes to parents. Parents were urged to register their children before the deadline and ensure younger children are put in reputable creches where their safety is given the highest priority.
After a question-and-answer session, the workshop ended with closing remarks from the C.O.O.
The main highlight of this workshop was the robust discussions between parents and facilitators. Parents were interested to know more information on how they can monitor their children’s development, what they can do if they do not have certain documents for school registration, and how they can access other healthcare services. This was important because with the challenges experienced recently regarding access to services for foreigners, parents were able to have their voices heard and needs addressed. Accessing health services when vigilant groups are preventing children to be seen. Response was that parents must ask for duty manager – all children have a right to access.
Parents and Bez Valley Clinic Representatives also complimented the organization how we prioritize the well-being and safety of children at Lovely Bears Creche. Parents shared that they could see a positive difference in their children from when they first started to now.
