Empowering women. Equipping children.
Changing communities.
At Umfundi Education we make quality Early Learning possible in South Africa’s most disadvantaged areas.
Why Umfundi
In isiZulu, Umfundi means ‘a learner’, someone who is growing, discovering, and being shaped. It comes from the word funda, ‘to learn’, but it carries a deeper sense too, to be a disciple, to walk a journey of becoming. That’s the heart of what we do. We give every child the chance to be an Umfundi … curious, equipped, and ready to step into their future with confidence.
Why it matters
South Africa faces a severe education crisis. More than half of all children who start school will never finish. The reason is clear: these children enter school unprepared and never get a fair start. The early years, between the ages of 3 and 5, are among the most critical for learning. During this period, a child’s brain develops more rapidly than at any other stage. Yet far too many miss out on the vital stimulation and support that sets the course for their future.
Our Response
In poor communities, informal preschools often run in makeshift spaces without basic services. Women who care for these young children are deeply committed, but they lack training and resources.
We train, mentor, and equip these women with practical skills and confidence in early literacy, numeracy, and child development. With the right support, they provide the foundation these children need to thrive in school and in life.
Vision by 2028:
Learning Foundation Trainings
women trained
children reached
What we offer
Learning Foundations Training
- A weekend, practical training program with certificate
- Equips caregivers with skills in literacy, numeracy, motor development, problem-solving, assessments, and daily preschool routines
- Interactive and hands-on, with space for collaboration and questions
The Umfundi Learning Box
- A full preschool curriculum with essential learning resources
- Serves up to 20 children aged 3–5
- Neatly organized and labelled for easy daily use
Ongoing mentoring of the Early Childhood Practitioners
- Monthly group coaching to develop new skills
- On-site visits to monitor and improve
- Further development opportunities
About us:
Umfundi was established in 2022 as an NPC, Section 18A to make education accessible to Learning Spaces within our rural communities currently operating in KZN and PE.
The values are we live by:
- Discipleship First
- Generosity in Action
- Stronger Together
- Simply Organised
- Learning with Joy
- Words that Build
Introducing Gugu
Gugu is the friendly face you will see popping in. She is not just any giraffe, but she is here to remind us that we need to be curious, kind and full of hope.
Together with Gugu we:
Ignite curiosity
Inspire Kindness
Give Hope
How You Can Get Involved
- Sponsor a Learning Box – R5,000 ($250)
- Sponsor Training for an Early Childhood Practitioner – R500 ($25), includes certificate on completion
- Provide a Lap Desk – R180 ($10), giving children a learning surface where facilities are limited
- Invest in an Early Childhood Practitioner’s Growth – R1000 ($50) per month – This includes ongoing mentoring, regular site visits, assessing children’s progress, and hands-on coaching to strengthen the learning environment.
