Les Mamelles Crèche receives brand new playground |02 June 2017

The 112 children attending Les Mamelles crèche were more than overjoyed yesterday because for them Children’s Day was a double celebration as received the gift of a new playground as well.

Funded by the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) trust fund, the playground consists of slides, swings, sandboxes among other fun toys. 

Discussion for the project started way back in 2015.

“We started talking about this project in 2015 after parents and the district team realised the importance of having a playground for our children’s development. Like we all know playing forms an integral part in the development of an individual and it also helps in the social interaction. Today our dream came true thanks to the parents and the Parents Teachers’ Association and the district administrator of Les Mamelles,” noted Renelle Anacoura, the teacher in charge of the crèche.

Les Mamelles crèche is made up of five classes and it has 11 teaching staff, two agency workers and one general helper. The 112 children are from the districts of Les Mamelles, Plaisance and Roche Caïman.

Cyril Pillay, director for primary schools within the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, explained that this project has cost more than R60,000. He noted that nowadays many schools are trying their best to maintain their school yards but some need to put more effort. Schools need to come forward with such projects and through the ECCE fund we can add more value to the schools provided the schools fund 25% of the project.

The opening of the playground was attended by parents, members of the PTA, members of the National Assembly (MNAs) for the districts concerned Clive Roucou, Jany de Letourdie, Audrey Vidot and Bernard Georges as well as the districts’ administrators.

Roche Caïman MNA Audrey Vidot noted that “this playground is a very good place for all the children to have some great fun and is a good place for their entertainment. In Les Mamelles and Plaisance, there is no such facility and this new playground will surely help in their physical development also.”

Les Mamelles MNA Bernard Georges added that “it’s a great accomplishment.”

“This is a model in terms of beauty, security and size. We have made a big step forward and I have always said the teaching profession should be placed at the top and providing children and teachers with such facilities will make teaching and learning more exciting. With such playgrounds we are sure to achieve our goal of having a healthy and strong nation,” said Mr Georges.

After the official opening, the children welcomed the guests with a balloon parade and performed a few songs. The playground was then blessed by Father Pierre and the children joyfully enjoyed their new playground.

The children enjoying themselves on their new playground