In the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, preschoolers are becoming tiny entrepreneurs and eco-warriors thanks to an innovative programme led by former principal Scilla Edmonds.
Durban, South Africa (13 May 2025) – With decades of experience in pre-school education, former principal Scilla Edmonds has found creative and innovative ways to enrich young minds.
One of the ways she has and continues to do this is through the inspiring collaboration with Teach A Man To Fish, a leader in hands-on entrepreneurial education for youth, and in partnership with The Saville Foundation.
In 2012, Scilla opened an opportunity for her young learners at Birches Pre-Primary School in Pinetown to be part of the School Enterprise Challenge, an educational programme teaching business and life skills.
Now, she leads the Early Years Enterprise (EYE) with the organisation to help preschool teachers raise learners’ environmental awareness and put in place basic entrepreneurial skills.
The EYE, which Scilla facilitates, runs on four Saturdays over three months. There preschool teachers are trained to cleverly include basic business skills and environmental awareness right into their curriculum.
“It’s a win-win,” said Scilla,
“The children begin to understand that there is a value attached to what they would otherwise have thrown away; they develop creativity and business skills; the parents become involved in their offspring’s education and also become more aware of environmental issues. As a bonus, it is a wonderful source of fundraising through products being sold at school events and markets!”
Two participants currently on the course own ECD centres partnered with The Domino Foundation.
Happiness Zulu and Zikhona Diya have been part of the NPO’s ECD team and are now running their own schools. They are enhancing their skills through EYE and have already completed courses in small business development.
“This is valuable entrepreneurial training which I can teach to the children in my preschool. They can learn to make money, save it and use it wisely,” Happiness shared.
“We are also learning about how to teach the children communication, fine motor and counting skills…all very important even when you are a very young business person,” Zikhona added.
The initiative has been met with such enthusiasm that further training sessions are already planned for later this year, promising to empower even more educators and their little ones to turn trash into treasure and bright ideas into reality!
Sources: Supplied
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