Story
In the heart of Limpopo, South Africa, a dream is taking shape—a dream for a brighter future for our children.
Over the past 7 years, we have collaborated with the Design & Build Unit to deliver early-stage childhood education in rural South Africa. An incredible opportunity to design and deliver the Malesa Daycare in Limpopo, South Africa, for a fantastic, renovated, and extended new and much-needed place of learning for over 40 children. The daycare is run by the Thusanang Trust, which focuses on Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in the hope of giving children a better opportunity for their future. Furthermore, our brilliant partners include Education Africa and Grimshaw Architects.
Above: Existing site
Over the Easter break, we will travel with 25 Nottingham students and 6 practitioners to Limpopo to build the students' designs, which will come together over the course of 4 weeks. The studio unit aims to make a positive change through architecture, which is something we as Studio 8Fold strongly believe in and strive to achieve in our work.
Below: Proposed student design
This is a recurring project in the Architecture school at the University of Nottingham in association with Education Africa (a non-profit which seeks to provide building solutions for impoverished areas around South Africa), and this year marks the 12th project of its kind. So far, over 2,200 children have been taught in a facility built by Education Africa. This has had a very positive ripple effect on the community as a whole, as it allows these children access to education and working facilities as well as parents to return to work, knowing their children are being cared for in a safe and secure environment, and therefore bringing in higher incomes to their households.
Below:2023 Monang Creche on opening day
Over the course of the fundraising, we will be posting updates of the design, build, and development including while we are on site.
Further information can be found:
So where does your money go?
- £1000 on books in the local languages
- £1300 on insulating the existing building
- £580 on landscape (fruit trees, shading, gravel etc)
- £150 on play toys, chairs, chalk boards
- £750 on rainwater goods including gutters and rainwater harvesting.
- £450 on solar panels and solar-powered lights
- £770 on building materials
With your support, we can turn this vision into reality. Together, we can create a safe space where children can explore their potential and ignite their passion for learning.
Join us in making a difference—every contribution counts! Let’s invest in our future by giving these children the gift of education.