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Funda Kunye - "We learn TOGETHER"

Funda Kunye means ‘Learn Together’ in isiXhosa and was founded by Karen Temlett and Carina Van Der Merwe who both live in Hout Bay. Through their outreach work in Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg, they have come to realise that there is a great shortage of quality day-care education and so Funda Kunye was started.
They train, empower, support and equip caregivers about the importance of age-appropriate stimulation, nurture and love for the children in their care focusing on 3-month-old babies to 3-year-old toddlers in the IY and Hangberg areas of Hout Bay.
Funda Kunye is run by volunteers and they hope to create a space where learning and growing together will impact the educational standards of a community.

As we know the first 1000-2000 days are paramount in the development of a young child. Ultimately, the correct care and stimulation in the first few years can reduce developmental delays and/or challenges later in these children’s lives. This can change the trajectory of their future!

Funda Kunye offers two training courses covering the development and age-appropriate activities of babies, 3-12 months and toddlers, 12-36 months.
Each course sets the foundation for early learning and how to build on those foundations.
Karen and Carina have a very practical approach to learning as they feel understanding comes from ‘doing’.
The Hout Bay based NPO makes a point of reaching ladies who may never obtain a Department of Social Development (DSD) registration and/or who have very little formal education but, through training provided by Funda Kunye will be better equipped to support the children in their care to have long-term impact.


The caregivers proudly showing their certificates after completing the Funda Kunye course.

Karen and Carina have written an easy to use, termly, themed curriculum which the caregivers will be trained on once they have completed their foundation training with Funda Kunye to implement into the day cares.

Nobantu, the field worker at Funda Kunye, has identified 18-day cares in Imizamo Yethu and of those, 15 were gravely under-resourced! There are no educational items; puzzles, books, crayons, colouring in books, blocks, lego, posting activities, matching cards, wall charts displaying colours, shapes, numbers, days of the week, months of the year and seasons to name a few!


One of the day-cares receiving some support from Funda Kynye in Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay

Karen and Carina wish to upgrade the day care centers one at a time once the care givers have attended both their courses and been trained on the curriculum.
This will create a space for sponsors to partner and collaborate with the NPO.


With the help from volunteers and sponsors, Funda Kunye assists in renovation work of the day-care centres to provide a better space for the babies and young kids. (Before: Top, After: Below)

Funday Kunye is registered as a Non-Profit Organization; NPO 250 783 and a Public Benefit Organization; PBO 930070481.
As a registered PBO, Funda Kunye can issue Section 18A donation receipts for tax benefits.
All donations will be well utilized to benefit the community in which we serve. You can support Funda Kunye directly here. 

Thank you for being willing to make a difference in the lives of many young children and to assist the caregivers to see their worth!