Mpumelelo Day Care Centre

Goscor Group of Companies is pleased to announce that Mpumelelo Day Care Centre will be our charity of 2012.

Since Goscor was founded in 1984 by George Anthony Siddle, the Goscor Group has remained dedicated to the support of disadvantaged or under-privileged communities in Johannesburg and surrounds.  As it marks its 27th anniversary, the Goscor Group is escalating the reach of its social responsibility initiatives as part of its mission to provide local communities with effective and compassionate support.

“The Goscor Group is excited about this new charity venture with Maria and the Mpumelelo Day Care Centre.  There is so much needed in this community and we look forward to making a positive contribution to these little children,” said Debby Parsonson Marketing Communications Manager at the Goscor Group. “We are hoping to raise a healthy amount at our upcoming Annual Charity Golf Challenge in November which will all be donated to the Mpumelelo Day Care Centre.”
Other charities supported by the Goscor Group include: Pathways (School for the disabled), M Faber Farm School (Rural area), Endangered Wildlife Trust, Albertina Sisulu Multipurpose Resource Centre, Togetherness Minister Association, Pretoria Child and Family Care Society, Jakaranda Children’s Home , Hillcrest HIV / Aids Foundation, Oliver’s House and the newest addition to the family - the Mpumelelo Day Care Centre.

About the Centre:
Starting off with 40 children, Mpumelelo has grown and there are currently 20 babies and 140 pre-school children (3- 6yrs) being cared for in wooden structures. There are 6 volunteer "teachers” – of which only 1 is qualified in Pre-School Education. The day care centre initially had no tables, chairs or toys but has now received these basic facilities through generous donors and well-wishers. The children are given 2 basic meals a day, and though the meals are not balanced, this is all that the care centre can afford to provide at this point. Maria's vision for the future is to be able to employ qualified teachers and child care workers for the progress of the young children. She would also like to provide nutritionally balanced meals on a daily basis, improve their playground equipment including having grass for the children to play on. “We would love to upgrade the existing buildings, including adequate ablutions and kitchen facilities. Currently the “kitchen” is in a tin shack and running water is non-existent” said mama Maria. "We would also like to have a comprehensive After Care Centre for school-going children as they often go home to nothing and to no-one. Their basic needs are normal things we so often take for granted.” “As a result of the HIV/Aids pandemic, children often experience a combination of extreme poverty, poor relationships, low self-esteem and little prospect for a brighter future. At Mpumelelo we are trying to uplift the children by showing them love and care in an environment of fun and laughter where "children can be children" in a place of safety, not having to worry about being abused and neglected” mama Maria concluded.

Mama Maria Maria Gaba or “Mama Maria” as she is affectionately known, started the Mpumelelo Day Care Centre in 1998 with nothing but her love for young children and their welfare and the clothes on her back.  Mama Maria has taken in the vulnerable, abused, abandoned and orphaned children in her community and has given them a safe haven to grow and be nurtured into confident and respectable young adults in South Africa. Starting off with 40 children, Maria now cares for 20 babies and 140 pre-school children aged between 3-6 years in wooden structures and only 6 volunteers to meet the task.

Read more in-depth information about the Centre here