Building a resilient ECD ecosystem in Bushbuckridge with Mitsubishi Corporation

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and the DO MORE FOUNDATION are working together to build a more holistic and resilient ECD ecosystem in Bushbuckridge.

Many ECD centres in this small Mpumalanga town operate informally and remain unregistered, which disqualifies them from receiving government funding. Unfortunately, these same unregistered centres often serve those young children most in need of a safe and stimulating learning environment, highlighting a critical gap in the system.

MC focuses on corporate philanthropic activities that align with three overarching themes, with its support of DO MORE falling under “Empowering the Next Generation”. Through this pillar, the company actively supports “education, research and capacity development in order to contribute to the growth and self-reliance of the next generation who will be responsible for tomorrow’s society”.

The collaboration focuses on addressing the diverse needs of young children through a comprehensive ‘basket of services’ that are formulated within the DO MORE FOUNDATION’s community-driven 'Everyone Gets to PLAY' model. The model uses the government’s National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (NIECDP) to guide formulation of a basket of services that responds to the specific needs of each community, always placing the wellbeing, growth, and health of young children at the centre.

MC supports the work done by DO MORE and its implementing partners to help make an impact in Bushbuckridge through these services:

Enterprise development with #DoMorePlay

#DoMorePlay is a woodworking programme established collaboratively by CHEP and DO MORE that enhances early childhood education and empowers disabled youth by transforming excess business inventory (EBI) into learning resources for ECD centres. This innovative project focuses on creating high-quality, educational young children while offering valuable economic opportunities for people with disabilities.

MC is part of a funding partner collective that has helped practitioners and young children in 16 ECD centres in Bushbuckridge enjoy access to high-quality, educational wooden toys designed to stimulate cognitive development through play-based learning. Added to this, these toy kits are hand-made by young adults with learning disabilities who benefit massively from the economic opportunity this gives them.

Early learning through play

MC supports Barrows and DO MORE’s Repurpose for Purpose (R4P) project that, like #DoMorePlay, turns EBI waste into valuable learning materials for young children in under-resourced ECD centres. ECD centres in Bushbuckridge are receiving R4P learning boards supported by playbook training and mentoring support for the ECD centre practitioners.

Building the knowledge and skills in the ECD workforce enables maximum benefit to be derived from these resources. It is equally as important as the resources themselves, and a crucial part of investing in the future of young children through a high-standard of age-appropriate early learning and development.

Infrastructure development

MC will be supporting an exciting new infrastructure development project in Bushbuckridge in 2025. DO MORE, in partnership with Breadline, will be building and launching a brand new ECD Hub Centre in the first half of 2025. This level of impact is simply not possible without the support of funding partners like MC.

Before:

In progress:

The collaboration between DO MORE and Mitsubishi Corporation underscores a shared vision of providing holistic solutions for social advancement for those that need it most. By empowering us to drive meaningful and sustainable change for South African communities, MC is helping young children thrive in their early years and lay the foundation for brighter, better futures.