Lemoenland Pre-School, Cederberg Mountains
Helping young children in the Cederberg region
get a stronger start.
Lemoenland Pre-School is one of the projects closest to our hearts. What began in 2001 as a small initiative for farm workers’ children has grown into a thriving early childhood centre in the rural outskirts of Clanwilliam, the town where Cedarberg Africa’s South African office is based.
Many of our team live and work in this community. So this is not a distant charity project for us. It is part of daily life in the Cederberg.
Why early learning matters
In South Africa, many children from poorer rural communities only start formal school when it is compulsory (now brought forward to six years of age by the Bela Act). By then, they may be already far behind, and it’s difficult to catch up.
Early childhood development can make an enormous difference, helping children develop confidence, language skills, concentration and the basic routines they need before starting school.
In farming areas, access is often the biggest challenge. Families may live far from town, transport is limited, and many parents leave for work early in the morning. Without a safe, reliable pre-school, young children can miss out on the foundations that help them thrive later.
Lemoenland was built to help fill that gap.
What Lemoenland Pre-school offers
The pre-school caters for children aged roughly four to six. It has two classrooms, qualified teachers and a teacher’s assistant, and follows the government pre-school curriculum.
Each year, around 50 children attend Lemoenland. For many, it is their first structured learning environment. They learn through weekly themes, classroom routines, play, songs, stories and creative activities.
Just as importantly, Lemoenland is a safe and caring place to spend the morning.
Transport, meals and outings
Because the children come from a wide rural area, transport is essential. The school bus and second vehicle collect children from surrounding farms, making sure that distance does not prevent them from attending. This transport is one of the school’s biggest running costs, but it is vital. Without it, many children simply would not get to school.
Lemoenland also provides breakfast and a late-morning meal. This makes a real difference. A child who starts the day hungry cannot concentrate properly, and a simple meal can change the whole morning. (Some local farmers also contribute food to help with the provision of meals.)
Whenever funds allow, the school also arranges outings. For children who may rarely leave the Cederberg, these trips to the sea, and even to Cape Town, are exciting, eye-opening and often remembered for years.
How Cedarberg Africa supports Lemoenland
Cedarberg Africa contributes to Lemoenland for every booking we make. So when you book your African holiday with us, you are already helping to support early childhood education in our home community.
We now get some government funding which pays the teachers salaries. So our funding is mainly providing the bus, the petrol, additional classroom materials and maintaining the school.
Additional Donations are always welcome
An Opportunity to Help!
These can help with daily running costs, fuel for the school bus, saving for a new bus (needed soon), outings, or future bursaries to the better local schools. After 2 or 3 years at Lemoenland Pre-School, the children start Grade R at “Big” school with a sound foundational understanding and discipline for further learning.
