A boy in a Thanda hoodie and teal beanie pressing his hand to the window

Partner Thanda

Early learning, youth development and household support for children and families in rural Mtwalume, KwaZulu‑Natal.

Location Mtwalume, KwaZulu‑Natal, South Africa
Founded 2008
Partner since 2008
Focus Early Childhood Development · Child & Youth Development · Household & Neighbourhood Support

296

preschoolers enrolled in Thanda's ECD programmes in 2025
230

children aged 5–8 in the Thandukwazi after-school enrichment programme in 2025
263

children aged 9–12 in the Siyazazi weekend programme in 2025
3,422

home visits completed with households in 2025

About this partner

Children thrive when families and neighbourhoods thrive

Thanda works with children, young people and households in rural Mtwalume, KwaZulu-Natal, across early learning, youth development and neighbourhood support, helping every child reach their full potential.

Thanda was founded in 2008 to create opportunities for children growing up in rural Mtwalume. What began as an after-school programme has grown into a community organisation working with children from early childhood through adolescence, as well as their households and wider neighbourhoods. Over the years, we have expanded our programmes in response to the needs we see in the community, recognising that children's development is shaped by much more than what happens in the classroom. Supporting children also means strengthening the households and neighbourhoods around them.

Thanda's programmes support children from early childhood through adolescence: Early Childhood Development for babies and preschoolers, Thandukwazi after-school enrichment for children aged 5–8, Siyazazi weekend sessions for preteens aged 9–12, literacy initiatives that foster a love of reading, Girls' and Boys' Programmes for teens, and household support that works alongside guardians, through home visits and household gardens, to strengthen children's nutritional wellbeing and development.

A Thanda cook smiling beside buckets of porridge in the kitchen

A Thanda teacher and a young boy sharing a high-five over a learning game

A group of Thanda children grinning at the camera

Children laughing on the slide at a Thanda centre

What we do

Early Childhood Development

Babies and preschoolers

Babies and preschoolers receive nurturing care and play-based learning, with stories, books and nutritious meals that build the foundations they need to start school ready.

Thandukwazi

Children aged 5–8

After school, children aged 5–8 take part in enrichment activities that build their literacy, confidence and life skills during the first years of primary school.

Siyazazi

Preteens aged 9–12

On weekends, preteens take part in sessions that help them understand themselves, build confidence and practise making good decisions as they approach their teenage years.

Girls' and Boys' Programmes

Teenagers

Teenage girls and boys meet in safe spaces where they build leadership, resilience and life skills as they navigate adolescence.

Household Support

Guardians and families

Thanda staff visit homes to share learning resources and support children's development. They also help families start household gardens, improve nutrition and find ways to earn an income.

What Even Ground supports

Even Ground's support contributes to Thanda's Early Childhood Development and Child & Youth Development work. It helps give children in rural Mtwalume access to quality early learning, nutritious meals, books and nurturing support during the critical early years of development and beyond.

A story from Thanda

Thembi Ntuli

In KwaNdelu, determined and community-minded Thembi Ntuli is one of many women shaping a stronger future through Thanda's farming program. What began as a way to grow food and support her children's early learning has become a source of confidence and connection as she shares her skills with new farmers. While Thembi tends her garden, her children learn and grow in Thanda's ECD and literacy programs, creating a circle of care that supports the whole family.

Impact pathway

Through Thanda's farming, ECD, and literacy programs, Thembi and her children enter an ecosystem of support that builds skills and stability at home. As Thembi continues to grow food and earn an income, her children gain a strong early learning foundation. With time, Thembi begins sharing her farming knowledge with other parents, extending the same care she once received.

Your gift supports programs like Thanda's

Donations are made to Even Ground and help fund community-led programs like Thanda's across South Africa. Even Ground is a US 501(c)(3); contributions are tax-deductible.

$50

A month of nutritious meals for a child in Thanda's ECD program.

Give $50

$250

A month of salary for an early childhood development teacher.

Give $250

$1,000

Annual mobile library outreach: books in the hands of hundreds of children.

Give $1,000

See all giving tiers & check / mail option

Other partners in our ecosystem

Children with Siyakwazi's disability support program

Disability advocacy & support