First Training Session
Marlèse Nel from Stella Street Church conducts a training session with PEN and the ASAP team on the use of the educational toys. Clockwise around the table from the left is Marlèse, Fay van Eeden (Stella Street’s outreach minister), Rieneke Schutte and Busisiwe Matamalea from PEN, and Neels Jackson from Stella Street’s outreach ministry.
First Training Session with the New Toys
August 25, 2020
After waiting many covid-long months before toys and educational materials could be delivered, the excitement and uplift was tangible. In August 2020, toys were assembled into theme-based resource kits and training began!
A wall of joy is formed by 25 plastic crates filled with educational toys donated by ASAP to PEN. Additional resource kits include musical instruments, jump ropes and more. From left to right: Pinky Mamosebo, Lerato Vilakazi, Rieneke Schutte, Marlèse Nel, Belina Mabungu and Busisiwe Matamela
Marlèse Nel, member of Stella Street congregation, explains the educational benefit of toys donated to enhance PEN’s preschool forum curriculum. Marlèse owned a shop selling educational toys and is an expert in the field.
Rieneke Schutte (left) and Busisiwe Matamela of PEN follow attentively while Marlèse Nel explains how educational toys develop basic skills in preschoolers.
A simple plastic peg board develops children’s recognition of colors and patterns, their hand-eye-coordination and building skills, basic number skills, language skills and more.
Walking on tiptoe on the balancing beam. Louise Jackson, physical therapist and outreach chairperson for Stella Street congregation, demonstrates exercises children can do on the beam to enhance their coordination and physical development.
It is called a Step and Catch game because the child is to step on the plank while catching the beanbag. It is great for hand-eye coordination. The beanbag is so soft that even if the child misses catching it and it hits them in the face, it doesn't hurt.