Meet the Partners

The sponsors and organizations involved in the Flamingo Crescent Project are the Centre for Early Childhood Development, the WPI Student Team, CORC, ISN, The City of Cape Town, and the community members of Flamingo Crescent.

CECD

The Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring quality early childhood development to the country’s children. They aim to enhance individual and organisational capacity, develop and disperse resources to communities nationwide, and conduct research on African specific topics. They are able to sustain themselves through income generated by project management, consultancy work, publications, and research. They also provide support for specific early childhood development programmes and projects through grants from Foundations and Trusts, Government Departments and from Corporate Social Investment Programmes.

The CECD runs several programmes for the younger generation of South Africa. The programmes cover a wide range of activities including equipment provision and training, skills enrichment workshops, family outreach work, literacy and numeracy workshops, and HIV/AIDS training. They also offer other programmes such as Staff Development and Training, Strategic Planning, Evaluation, Curriculum Development, Conferences, and Knowledge Sharing through the ECD Helpline.

In relation to our project, we will be working closely with the CECD as we develop a management plan for the crèche. Eric Atmore, the CEO and Founder of the CECD as well as his daughter, Sarah Atmore have been crucial players in the progression of our project. The CECD has had success implementing sustainability plans for crèche’s in other communities. Part of the reason the CECD has been so successful implementing this plan is because they work hand in hand with the community the plan will be affecting. The organization has found that tailoring projects to the needs of the specific community to be the most effective methodology.

 

CORC

Community Organisation Resource Centre (CORC) is a nongovernment organization that partners professionals with grassroots activists to address the needs of impoverished communities. Its main field of work is in the community networks that are mobilized around their own resources and capacities. CORC provides support for informal settlements for issues regarding land, evictions, informal settlement upgrading, basic services, and citizenship. When CORC intervenes in a community its purpose is to “enable these communities to learn from one another and to create solidarity and unity” within the community.

CORC is represented by Adi Kumar and Chuma Giyose. Adi is the head architect of CORC and Chuma is a designer. Together they provided designs and a rough Bill of Quantities that enabled the crèche construction to begin. They also visited the site frequently to ensure construction was being done correctly and that all the materials were being delivered in on time.

ISN

The Informal Settlement Network (ISN) is made up of community leaders of informal settlements across all of South Africa. They strive to create unified self-sufficient communities that are equipped with skills and knowledge to make positive change. In an attempt to establish an opportunity for learning, the ISN lobbies the city government to consult communities in development plans. This makes it possible for an ordinary person to get involved in the development of their community. ISN is guided by “the core principles of learning by doing, working with organized communities, building self-reliance, and building on assets.”

ISN is represented on site by two people Terrence Johnson and Melanie Manuel. Terrence is on site every day. He was the construction manager for the reblocking and now manages the construction of the crèche. As part of ISN’s mission he talks and takes in the community’s input and utilizes them to help complete all of their projects. Melanie works both on and off site meeting with community members to enhance community participation, offer advice, and push for steps forward on projects.

City of Cape Town Parks Department

The City of Cape Town’s Parks Department managed the city’s parks, cemeteries, greenbelts, road amenities, street trees and many other public open spaces. They strive to conserve and enhance greenery all while developing the present for future generations. They’re goal is to be recognized as a leading provider of quality parks and cemeteries for a better life for all. The Parks Department of Cape Town can provide the team with necessary resources and guidance for the project. Specifically, the Parks Department can assist in the play area construction that will consist of playground structures and a garden space.