Cape Town - LIV Village

LIV CAPE TOWN

LIV CAPE TOWN BRIDGES EDUCATIONAL INEQUALITY BY EMPOWERING VULNERABLE CHILDREN WITH QUALITY EARLY YEARS EDUCATION

EDUCATING THE CHILDREN OF FISANTEKRAAL

Rob and Niki Mason’s journey began in 2015 when they met Tich and Joan Smith, who sparked a deep sense of purpose within them. They felt called to relocate their family to South Africa and join the LIV family. Their initial work included running sports programmes and school literacy groups in disadvantaged communities in the Northern suburbs of Cape Town. The COVID-19 lockdown provided an opportunity to undertake door-to-door food relief work in Fisantekraal, and during this time, the community voiced a common concern about a lack of quality pre-school education facilities. This desire to meet a critical community need gave birth to LIV Cape Town.

On 2 May 2023 our Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre opened its doors, providing a loving and nurturing environment for up to 100 of the most vulnerable children in our community. Many of these children face significant challenges such as Foetal Alcohol Syndrome or developmental delays resulting from malnutrition and other poverty-related factors. Our holistic approach to child development involves supporting the physical and emotional well-being of each child. Our aim is to release children who are well prepared for primary school when they leave our care at the age of five.

MAKING LONG-TERM IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY

As we embark on this transformative journey, our vision extends beyond the immediate impact of providing quality childcare and job creation. We have a whole-family focus, building relationships with parents and caregivers, and creating opportunities for them to get involved where possible. Our site has capacity for future projects – which may include a school for children with learning disabilities and social enterprises which will foster sustainability. Through our ECD Centre and related projects, we aim to break the cycle of inequality in Fisantekraal and create a brighter future for generations to come.

Preschool

Therapy

Food Garden Project

Computer Centre

GIVING CHILDREN FROM DISADVANTAGED
BACKGROUNDS A
CHANCE TO SUCCEED

Our school can provide all-day care for up to 100 pre-school aged children. We only accept children from Fisantekraal, which is an under-resourced, fast-growing community.

Our school environment is homely, yet our resources and curriculum are modern. Our philosophy is to make learning as fun and interactive as possible. The teachers have a gentle, motherly approach with the children.

PROVIDING THERAPY FOR OUR CHILDREN

Our Therapy Department is dedicated to transforming scars into stars, providing hope and healing for children with deeply traumatic backgrounds. Many of the children at LIV Cape Town face significant emotional wounds and developmental delays.
Our therapy approach consists of one-on-one play therapy sessions, combined with a structured therapy program implemented across all classes. This comprehensive approach ensures that every child receives personalised care while benefiting from consistent support in their learning environment.
For more information, please contact us at therapy@liv-village.com.

GROWING OUR OWN FOOD IN OUR GARDEN

With so many mouths to feed, we decided to turn a six-hundred square metre portion of our site into an organic fruit and vegetable garden. Nutrition forms a core pillar of our approach, ensuring that our children receive the nourishment they need to thrive. We include protein, fruit, and vegetables in at least two of the four meals we provide daily. By incorporating these essential elements into their diet, we not only promote their physical well-being, but also support their cognitive and overall development. This space will be a sensory wonderland, an outside ’classroom’, where a lot of learning and discovering will happen.

PROVIDING ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY AT OUR COMPUTER LAB

By providing access to technology, we are not only expand learning opportunities, but are also equipping students with the essential skills to succeed in a digitally driven world. Our programmes include Coding & Programming, After-School Programmes, Basic Computer Skills, and a Professional IT Curriculum.

At our centre, we will aim to change the mindset around education by leveraging technology to inspire and support students in completing, and even furthering their education – an essential first step in breaking the cycle of poverty.