Local Voices driving first 1000 days initiatives in faith Communities: Partnership reflections from Sikunye and the Do More Foundation

The First 1000 Days is increasingly recognised as a critical period for child development, with a growing global evidence base. But the key question remains: where is the best platform to reach young children, and how do we localise these globally acknowledged messages? What do they mean for the everyday mother or family in a local community? Churches remain deeply trusted institutions, places where families gather, and where care often begins.

Over the past five months, faith leaders in Nkomazi and the Breede River Valley have been taking intentional steps to support families in the First Thousand Days (first 1000 Days) which is the period from pregnancy to age two. This work is part of a growing partnership between the Do More Foundation, Sikunye, and local church networks. Together, we are walking alongside churches as they find ways to nurture the youngest members of their community by strengthening the families around them.

Who is Sikunye?

Sikunye is a programme of Common Good that supports churches across South Africa to engage in early childhood development. The name means “We are together” — and that’s the heart of their approach: equipping church leaders with practical tools, training, and accompaniment to become champions for children in the early years.

What is happening in Nkomazi?

The Nkomazi area has seen consistent activity and promising signs of deeper engagement from local churches. With the support of our community mobiliser, Pastor Sipho Tshuma, churches have participated in learning journeys, public campaigns, and gatherings focused on how to support young families.

As part of the BaBonise campaign, radio segments featuring Pastor Dlakubi and Cleopas Maseko from Thembalethu shared messages about the importance of father involvement in the early years. These conversations helped raise awareness within the faith community and opened doors to new relationships.

On 13 May, a hybrid gathering – where some participatns joined in person and others joined online – was held at Thembalethu Nkomazi, bringing together 22 church leaders and members. The Sikunye team joined remotely from Cape Town, while Thembalethu ensured participation by facilitating the session in the church leaders' home language.

Leaders shared the ways they are already supporting families, from counselling young parents to running prayer and support groups. The gathering also sparked new opportunities to connect with church networks beyond the area – connections that Pastor Tshuma is continuing to build on in the upcoming months.

Two new churches committed to being First thousand day-friendly in this period, bringing the total to 22 for the 2024/25 year — well above the local target. An first 1000 Days-friendly church is one that takes simple, deliberate actions to support families with young children. This could include welcoming new parents, running parenting support groups, or teaching about early childhood development from the pulpit.

Leaders from these churches are equipping themselves with skills and knowledge. Two completed the How to Be an first 1000 Days-Friendly Church workshop, and four others attended Zoom-based practical sessions. One participant also completed the Khathalela WhatsApp course on responsive parenting and support.

Church leaders are seeing the need and slowly taking ownership. One shared:

We are teaching what we’ve learned about supporting young children. It’s working, and it’s encouraging. But it’s not always easy. As African people, we carry deep cultural beliefs — some are hard to change. Still, as a pastor, my job is to plant the word. God will do the rest.” – Apostle Chauke, Potters House Church & Ministry

Another leader reflected on their church’s challenges:

We didn’t start 2025 well. We lost our pastor in January. But we are continuing to support young families. Some fathers still don’t understand why they’re needed in the first thousand days. We’re trying to change that.” – Nompumelelo Mlambo, God is Alive Christian Centre.

The partnership in Nkomazi reflects a strong sense of shared value, especially where existing community-driven initiatives like the Selati Cup and BaBonise are already active. By aligning with these local efforts, the campaign gains traction and relevance. Sikunye brings its deep expertise in fatherhood and the First Thousand Days (FTD) to the table — enriching the campaign with practical tools and messaging that support men to play a more engaged and nurturing role in their children’s early development.

What is happening in Worcester?

In the Breede River Valley, community mobiliser Yolande Oliphant is working hard to grow consistent engagement. On 24 May, an in-person event at Breede Valley APD brought together 21 people, including a mix of church leaders, members, and local stakeholders. Adrianne Petersen from the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness offered insights into the state of young children in the area, and three Flourish hosts explained how churches could refer mothers to join parenting groups.

Twelve church leaders completed Sikunye’s Church & Early Life WhatsApp learning journey. Follow-up is ongoing to support them in taking next steps. One barrier is the transition from in-person to online training, a format that hasn’t gained traction with all churches in the region. We’re also working on a more sustainable plan for participating in the Worcester first 1000 Days Forum by shifting representation to local champions.

In this year, seven churches have committed to being first 1000 Days-friendly. Sikunye is hoping to reach 15 by the end of June. Two have already joined further workshops, indicating their willingness to keep growing.

As one of the local stakeholders shared, “Change takes time here. But when people come together, they remember why they care. The church has a role…we just need to keep showing up.”

What are we learning as a collective?

This work reminds us that transformation is often slow and relationship building takes time. While training does support, it’s not enough on its own. Church leadership need champions walking with them just as any community stakeholder requires support. We’re also learning that while national campaigns and digital tools are valuable, local voices matter most. That’s where the shift happens in local communities when a pastor speaks to their own congregation, or when a church member invites a young mother to a support group.

Local churches hold deep social capital which would include trusted relationships, community presence, and a shared commitment to care. By leveraging this, churches are playing a vital role in building the village of support around families. From offering practical help and emotional support to creating safe spaces for connection and belonging, churches are strengthening the fabric of community care for children and caregivers alike.

These early months of 2025 have brought both progress and reminders of what it takes to move forward

"All families need some kind of support to provide their children with a strong start to life. But some families need all the support they can get. It will take many different role players, all playing their unique parts, to see a new and brighter future for the children in our communities and nation. It continues to be a privilege to partner with the Do More Foundation: the regular shared learning and encouragement is a demonstration of how people and organisations can join hands for the sake of the youngest." - Ruth Lundie Head of Programmes & Partnerships at Sikunye

We acknowledge the influence of faith leaders, community mobilisers, and partners walking this journey to create communities that thrive. Amplifying their voices which are rooted in local realities, relationships, and deep care is where participatory change will last.

Sikunye has played a leading role in this work, equipping churches across South Africa to see themselves as places of support for young families. Their ongoing commitment to training, accompaniment, and local leadership has been central to what’s unfolding in both Nkomazi and the Breede River Valley.

There is still much to do. What this last year reminds us is that real change doesn’t only come from national campaigns or formal systems, It begins when a pastor speaks to their congregation about parenting, or when a church member notices a struggling mother and offers support.

Every child deserves a strong start, and every community, especially its churches and faith based communities, holds part of the solution. These are the voices that carry the work forward. And it’s through them that we’ll continue to learn, build, and grow.