Renovation of the Siluncedo Daycare in Cape Town

The most extensive project carried out by KALAMU to date was the renovation of the Siluncedo Daycare in the Imizamo Yethu neighborhood of Cape Town, South Africa. The necessary funds were raised through a donation campaign in 2020 and 2021. Our connection to the facility dates back to 2017, when we launched an initial fundraising campaign during a volunteer stay on site. The funds at that time made it possible to install a new climbing frame for the daycare’s outdoor area. This early collaboration marked the beginning of a long-term and trusting relationship with the daycare team.

Siluncedo Daycare is a vital institution for children and families from the surrounding township. It offers daily care until the afternoon and provides warm meals for up to one hundred preschool-aged children. The facility is led by Thandeka, who runs the daycare with a dedicated team and prepares the children for the next steps in their education. In December 2020, it became known that the daycare was at risk of closure due to serious structural issues. The roof, in particular, was in such poor condition that the safety of the children and staff could no longer be guaranteed. In close consultation with Thandeka and others on site, a fundraising goal of 7,500 euros was set. Several local construction companies were approached, and a firm already familiar with the facility from previous projects was eventually contracted for the renovation.

After a period of thorough planning, construction work began on January 15, 2021. Our goal was to complete the renovation as quickly as possible so that the daycare could reopen without long delays. Even in the first few days, the progress was clearly visible. The building underwent a complete transformation both inside and out and soon looked entirely different.

The first step involved removing a tree in the outdoor area to make room for the construction work. Unstable walls were then taken down and rebuilt. The ceiling also had to be removed and replaced. At the same time, a color scheme for the interior was developed in collaboration with the local team. The walls were carefully plastered and primed to ensure a long-lasting finish. In the days that followed, the roof substructure was fully rebuilt, and new roofing was installed. Both the exterior and interior walls received a fresh coat of paint, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. One of the most important aspects of the renovation was the expansion of the sanitary facilities. What had previously been a single toilet was expanded into four new restrooms. A modern sanitation system now provides improved hygiene conditions in the children’s daily routine.

All of the work was carried out by a skilled and dedicated team on site. We are deeply grateful for the close cooperation, mutual trust, and high level of craftsmanship that went into every detail of the renovation. The construction process was completed according to plan. In the final days of the project, the focus shifted to finishing touches and the design of the interior spaces. The building has since been inspected by the City of Cape Town and officially declared safe. The threat of closure was successfully averted. The daycare can now continue its operations under safe and stable conditions, once again providing a protected space where children can learn, play, and grow.

We know that projects like this can only succeed through the efforts of many and a strong foundation of trust. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who supported this initiative. The generous donations, the open and constructive collaboration with the local team, and the shared willingness to shape something together made this result possible. The renovation of the Siluncedo Daycare means a great deal to many families in Imizamo Yethu. For us, it was a very special project that once again showed how much can be achieved through solidarity and mutual support.