LEARN TO PLAYITHUTE GO TSHAMEKA IMPACT REPORT 2021
“I am a refugee.” They shared their heartbreaking stories of fear and despair, of feeling the loss of freedom and family. They worried about their children’s future and what opportunities they would have. As a refugee. Always a refugee.
While we may have started the playgroup to fulfill a gap in early childhood development, I now believe we are fulfilling so much more. As Priyanka states in her letter, 2021 has been a year of growth, specifically in resilience, compassion and strength Our newest playgroup in Dukwi is a prime example of this, but certainly not the only one. We remain grateful to all of our donors and play heroes for supporting our growth and helping transform the lives of women, children, and communities to build a brighter Botswana
In talking with the women, the number of times I heard the word “refugee” as an identity label made my heart ache. Nationalities seemed to be in past tense These women did not openly refer to themselves mothers, sisters, wives, or daughters. They barely used their own given names.
Karen Clune Board Chairperson
Dukwi is a small refugee camp (by global standards) in northern Botswana and home to those fleeing many sub-Saharan countries, including Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Somalia. With support from the U.S. Government’s Julia Taft Fund, we launched a playgroup there to fulfill the critical gap in early childhood development.
One of my most powerful moments of 2021 was when I attended the graduation of the four Dukwi mamapreneurs.
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
But, that evening, they celebrated two weeks of daily training in early brain development, nutrition, health and wellness, mindfulness and our Rainbow Play Approach along with other vocational skills and topics. There was a glimmer of hope. I saw them stand straighter and taller. They touched their new aprons with pride. They were now Learn to Play mamapreneurs. It was an identity they truly earned and owned.
“I am a mamapreneur ”
There’s never a dull day at Lear and play. 2021 was a year of growth, ener One of the most important lear can no longer deny how entang livelihoods and careers Parents not have a nurturing and stimu This propelled our direction in This work did not go unnoticed Learn To Play was recognised fo HundrED, a global education o innovations that are actively im World Education Week feature global organisations, showcasin impact and engagement. Combined with a new curriculu expanding our work into a refu resulting in further partnership Learn To Play scale up tremend We’re humbled that for many f able to transform their despair prioritised hand ups not hand wonder with a solution focused playful curiosity of the children and optimism forward into the Nelson Mandela says, “part of b head pointed towards the sun, if there’s one thing we have ple enough sunshine to give us the Priyanka Handa Ram Founder
LETTER FROM THE FOU
We further invested in paren solutions such as Gola Nnan which included group sessi We worked with the govern legislation that guides the s community playgroups; We advocated for the impo childhood programmes to a stay in the workforce.
ABOUT LTP
Founded in 2017, LTP is a Botswana based social impact business, that harnesses paid early learning to fund free early learning. We have a revenue generation & donation based model for greater impact and sustainabiliity, Since 2017, we've opened operations in 5 communities, fostered positive community relationships and been recognised by global organisations like HundrED. Our most rewarding moments though, come when we see children, parents, community leaders and mamaprenuers connecting through the power of play to build a brighter Botswana. In 2021 our board took an incredible step towards creating sustainable cycles of early childhood education by merging private preschool Little Einsteins with Learn To Play to harness paid early learning to fund free early learning. We harness the power of play to provide high-impact, scalable and sustainable early childhood solutions for children aged 0 5 by unlocking every child's potential and uplifting women's economic opportunities to create vibrant villages.
OUR MISSION
OUR VISION
A world where quality Early Childhood Development is not a luxury. OUR MODEL LTP acts in a systems change model to actively demonstrate the value of ECD in a societies where it’s not yet seen as a necessity. We have two direct solutions to addressing ECD. The first is the Rainbow Play Approach, a unique framework for holistic ECD, which is delivered through playgroups for children aged 2-5. The second is a positive parenting program which is delivered through our Go Baby Go (GBG) program which addresses key parenting issues such as mental health, safety, wellbeing and protecting children from violence and harm for parents of children ages 0 5. LTP is also scaling its impact and creating sustainable cycles of change by delivering training, curriculum and the playgroup model to partner organisations who can empower educators and caregivers to provide high-impact and low resource based stimulation for young children. STORY
OUR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Learn To Play has a diverse and robust board of powerful playmakers. Each of the seven women are leaders in their respective fields lending their unique expertise to inform our strategy and decisions from all perspectives of our internal and external environment. Together, the board provides insights from the public health, public relations, legal, governance and early childhood education industries.
MEET THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND LEARN TO PLAY
From left to right:
Taazima Kala Essack, Evgeniya Troanska, Priyanka Handa Ram, Matshediso Kgamane, Karen Clune, Loungo Tibone, Lauren Mistry
OUR TEAM
MEET THE TEAM PRIYANKA HANDA RAM FOUNDER & CHIEF ENERGY OFFICER EASHWAR RAMESH CHIEF OPPORTUNITIES OFFICER PRATISHA NARULA HEAD OF CURRICULUM & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MAIPELO MOTSEMME COMMUNITY OUTREACH & IMPACT COORDINATOR ZANELE MAOTWE COMMUNITY FACILITATOR GOMOLEMO LETSHOLO COMMUNITY FACILITATOR TARA AY MEDIA OR RONELDA VAN'T HOF MARKETING COORDINATOR
STORIES FROM OUR PLAYGROUND
"LTP provided me with an opportunity after being retrenched from my previous job I was unable to provide for my family. Now I have stability and I continue to learn through LTP. I enjoy teaching the children and helping them socially."
"LTP has improved my quality of life. Having just had a baby, I was anxious about how I would take care of my family. I love teaching children how to interact with others, be respectful and build resilience. Sometimes the children come from dire situations. It is rewarding to play with them and teach them."
"I love my job at LTP. It has taught me many valuable lessons that I can teach both at home and in my community. It makes me happy and proud to help the children develop and prepare for primary school. I see myself being at LTP for a very long time. Making history and raising awareness!"
"Being a mama has changed my life. Not only has it given me financial security but it also helps me fulfil my purpose. I am now able to have an insurance policy that I can pay every month without hesitation. It makes me proud to help the children and to keep them off the streets and depots. I love interacting with them on a daily basis and helping them overcome difficulties. It is very rewarding. I hope I can become certified in Early Childhood Education one day It has always been my dream!"
"Before LTP, I made a living by selling masks. LTP gave me hope. It has improved my life and the livelihood of my family. I feel proud to be part of LTP and to help the children in my community by teaching them their worth."
MATSHIDISO GOPONG DIANE DUKWI GLADNESS KAVIMBA ANNAH BONTLENG VERIPHI KACGAE OUR MAMAS
"Prior to my child starting playgroup, she was just at home watching tv. Now she wants to become a nurse. She enjoys going to the playgroup and loves the alphabet and learning about different seasons. She has shown a lot of improvement. I can highly recommend parents to send their kids to playgroup. It is important for them to get educated from a young age."
OUR FAMILIES
"I always encourage parents to send their kids to the Learn to Play playgroup. There are some skills that can only be learned at school, like social skills. I have seen a great improvement in my own child. Her vocabulary has increased so much, she is more confident and she is able to take instructions really well. She wants to become a soldier when she grows up. I am grateful for this playgroup and excited to see my daughter grow and learn more."
"My daughter has grown from timid and shy, to a confident young girl. I have seen changes in her that I never knew were possible. Before Learn to Play she was just sitting at home. Now she is learning and growing and bringing home lots of crafts. I always tell other parents about LTP and advised my neighbor to enroll her child as well. I am very grateful that my daughter gets to go to this playgroup."
BONTLENG DUKWI KAVIMBA
Development (Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development) We witness the positive impact that the playgroup has on a daily. It motivates the children to get used to going to school everyday, thus lessening absenteeism at Primary School level, and builds confidence in children.
OUR AND COMMUNITY LEADERS
Following initial visits by LTP to the region, engagement with village leadership and forging of a partnership between the two organisations, CCB has taken on the role of facilitating delivery of the LTP programme within the community of Kacgae.
"LTP has provided an opportunity to build social support networks for refugee parents This has helped to lessen social isolation experienced by some families and contributes to parents’ wellbeing and confidence. LTP has provided a space for our refugee children to participate in and enjoy new activities (access to a variety of toys and equipment). It is providing a stimulating environment for children to acquire and learn new skills."
PARTNERS
LTP has brought significant and positive changes to the Kacgae community. We love LTP because it is community driven and empowering. The curriculum is holistic and the materials used are sustainable and accessible. It is impactful – all of the above factors mean that children who are otherwise failing to be captured by the more formal ECD structures within rural communities, have a chance at ECD, which sets them up with a stronger foundation for future development.
Ralph Mpaphi Majaha Dukwi Refugee Camp Manager
"LTP empowers the child and the mamas. Before LTP the children had no access to early childhood education It is amazing to witness the ripple effect that the playgroup has on the mamas, children and community as a whole. I hope LTP can continue to grow and reach more communities in and outside of Botswana."
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Delic G Sehunwe Deputy Director of Commuity
LTP benefits the vulnerable communities as it is free and accessible to those that have no other access to early childhood education
Monica Gopong Nurse
Nidhi Ramsden Cheetah Conservation Botswana
Since the inception of the programme and through trial and error, we have seen significant development at individual level amongst the Mamas that are assisting the children. We hope to initiate a playgroup within Bere community our other target community soon.
PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT
Gonayamodimo Mache Following the program, Gonayamodimo joined our LTP team and now works at Little Einsteins as a teaching assistant
During the lockdowns of 2020 & 2021, we had to pivot our strategy to focus on parental engagement so that children didn't miss out on early learning opportunities Following the success of these programs during COVID, Learn To Play became Botswana's only licensed provider of World Vision's Go Baby Go parenting program which we adapted and translated into Setswana for delivery across communities in Botswana. In 2021, Learn To Play conducted its first parenting course with ten mothers and two fathers from the Bontleng community. The program proved a resounding success in helping parents feel equipped, proud and confident to contribute to their child’s early development through increased parental engagement, nurturing care and playful parenting approaches.
My daughter grew up with her mother and I only saw her one or twice a month on supervised visits I had to learn how to feed, bathe and even change her diaper.
"I joined Learn To Play’s parenting program because I wanted to learn more about children and parenting It helped me improve my patience and love for children by giving all my attention to my son and understanding him better. It taught me to control my anger when speaking with them and better understand how to help their development. I am so happy and proud of myself for graduating from the program and now I am working as a teaching assistant. Thanks to the program, I believed in myself and now I am here."
Thereafter, I was introduced to Learn To Play’s Gola Nnana Gola program where I learned things that I didn't know or took for granted I learned that playing with your unborn child can form bonds between father and child as well as how to teach your child and see how the child responds to you. We were only two men in the program with all the women and it had a very positive impact as a father on raising our children We now know it is not the mother’s duty alone to raise the child and that only when both parents are participating are we able to groom a responsible child Bontsi Mongale
OUR IMPACT
33% Social and Emotional Development 45% 49% 44% Early Literacy and Communication Cognitive Development Overall Improvement IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Over the course of 2021 LTP conducted impact assessments in its Bontleng and Kavimba communities as part of our monitoring and evaluation (M&E) program. Interruptions in playgroups due to COVID in previous years meant that 2021 was the first year we could pilot our MELQO tool in two of our communities. The results have been overwhelmingly positive showing marked increases across all facets. We continued to deepen and expand our impact in existing communities and new ones across Botswana We conducted mamapreneur training and interviews for our community in Dukwi Refugee Camp as well as further professional development for all our mamapreneurs. Our playgroup in Dukwi opened in January 2022 and has been a success since its opening.
COMMUNITIES 5 600 CHILDREN MAMAPRENEURS 42 By The Numbers
HIGHLIGHTS
1. 2. 3. 7. 4. 8. 9. 10. 5. 6. Our board prioritised play not profit, to create sustainable cycles of ECD by merging REWA Little Einsteins & Learn to Play, bringing more synergy, sustainability and impact to everything we do. We were selected by HundrED as one of 12 organisations in their Parental Engagement Spotlight highlighting initiatives that strengthen caregiver child bonds through nurturing relationships. We began building the first ever community early childhood education centre in Kavimba, Botswana! We successfully launched our parenting programme, Go Baby Go, to support parents so they feel more confident in providing nurturing and responsive care. Becoming a Brand Botswana Pridemark company has allowed us to celebrate our beautiful Botswana, our wonderful playground, even more! We began providing every child at playgroup with a daily nutritious snack to ensure optimal conditions for them to play and learn. Three of our LtP members became certified in preschool mindfulness, allowing us to make this a core component of our daily curriculum to improve and prioritise children’s emotional and social wellbeing. We had the privilege of being featured as one of 20 organisations to showcase our excellence and expertise in community impact and engagement during T4’s World Education Week! Our work with the Dukwi refugee camp has also been a huge part of our year, none of which would have been possible without a US embassy grant! For a second year running, we were selected for HundrED's 2022 Global Collection which recognises the most impactful and scalable solutions in education globally.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2021 Expenses Income 2020 2021 P2,000,000 P1,500,000 P1,000,000 P500,000 P0 In 2021 Learn To Play transitioned into a social impact business by merging LTP and REWA Little Einsteins to ensure greater financial sustainability with paid early learning funding free early learning. The change in business model has proved a success allowing LTP to transition from a deficit in 2020 to a surplus (which will be reinvested into community projects) in 2021 It has also ensured that LTP can now stretch its valued donors contributions further to ensure sustainable cycles of impact
CommunityProgramCosts 22.6% Merchandise 0.8% *PeopleandCulture 45% MarketingandAdvertising 4.1% MiscellaneousExpenses 5.1% AdministrativeCosts 10.9% RevenueGeneratingActivities 77.8% GrantsandDonations 22.2% INCOME EXPENSES TOTAL INCOME: P1,701,613.00 TOTAL EXPENSES: P1,442,101.00 *People and Culture includes salaries, staff welfare and professional development
PLAY HEROES
DONORS & PARTNERS Handa Family Sheela & Raja Ram The Daily Grind Ananth & Aravinda Raja Ram Grant Thornton Botswana Ramesh Family Botswana Reunion Society U.S Embassy in Botswana Sidharth Ram TS Anantharaman Dinesh Textiles LTP also thanks the numerous child sponsors, parents of Little Einsteins and others who have donated to LTP. Acumen Property Group Bohua Century Office Supplies Creative Culture Ina Lebe Khan Corporate Law Kavimba VDC LimeJuice Masterprint Mr. Veg Muchenje Campsite and Cottages Mwandi View Safaris REWA Moralo Designs Cheetah Conservation Botswana Elephants Without Borders Pula Sports Development World Vision Go Baby Go
CONTACT US DONATIONS Uplifting communities through play Gaborone Head Office +267 3916741 P.O. Box 1172, Gaborone priyanka@learntoplay.org Donations can be made through our website or EFT: www.learntoplay.org Account Name: Learn To Play Account no: 62773759918 Branch no: 282267
