This year, as part of my Architecture degree, I am taking part in a Design Studio project that involves redesigning and building a nursery in one of the poorest and least developed parts of the rural province of South Africa, Limpopo. 

In 2009 Education Africa approached The University of Nottingham Architecture School to join them in their Social Architecture projects. Social architecture applies the theory of affordable building to impoverished areas inhabited by the poorest of the poor, whose facilities are inadequate and/or non-existent. This is the 10^thanniversary since our partnership with Education Africa began and it is clear they create a great positive impact - so far over 2,000 children have been to school in a creche built by previous Nottingham architecture students, creating jobs for the locals within these schools, and allowing children’s parents to return to work.

The idea of being part of such an inspiring project where you are able not only to design, but to physically go out to South Africa and build a special place for children to learn, helping a community in need, was one of the main reasons I chose to go to Nottingham and am so thrilled to be part of this year’s team going out to Limpopo in April 2020.

The nursery this year is called Malahleha Day Care, after the woman who runs the creche. Malahleha herself currently teaches 14 pre-school children in a tin shack, and due to lack of space and facilities, she is unable to help the many children on the waiting list to have an education. As you can see by the photos below, Malahleha and her children are in desperate need of a much safer, healthier and more inspiring place to teach and learn. 

Through Education Africa, the university was partnered with the Thusanang Trust, who focus on early childhood and community development. ‘Thusanang’ means ‘to help one another’ – which leads me directly on to why I am approaching you in the hope that you can help …. 

We are individually paying for own travel, accommodation and food costs, however, in need of fundraising for all materials, tools and sub-contractors in order for us to complete this project. The more money that can be raised, the better the nursery and more importantly the opportunities we can provide for these children. Anything you can donate will help us to help them! 

Thank you so much for reading (and sorry for the essay) 

Ella xoxo