SOUTH AFRICAN WINES & CULTURE

The Pebbles Project was established in 2004 to offer support to children with special educational needs, particularly those whose lives are affected by alcohol in some way, in the Western Cape of South Africa.

The Pebbles Project believes that if a child, particularly one with special needs of any kind, is supported and given the necessary education at an early age, they are far more likely to go on to achieve more at school, and become well-adjusted, educated and achieving adults.

Pebbles works closely with several wine farm owners, who support our work and assist us with the upliftment of their farm worker communities and the education of the workers' children. Pebbles also supports township crèches in Somerset West and Stellenbosch.

Research has confirmed that there are high numbers of children with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in the Western Cape of South Africa, as well as those with many other learning difficulties. There is also a high number of children whose lives are affected negatively by alcohol due to parental drinking, neglect, and communities where drinking is a problem. Pebbles does not diagnose children with suspected FASD, as we are not medically trained to do so, but we instead offer support for crèche staff to identify learning difficulties and how to assist the children with these.

Many children do not receive the early childhood education that will equip them for later life, and there are a high percentage of children who drop out of school before reaching matriculation.

It has to be stressed however that some of the crèches that we support simply request basic crèche teacher training, resources and guidance, and that the farm owners take their responsibility seriously for supporting their communities.

We offer training to crèche workers, teachers and parents in methods of working with children, including those with special educational needs and provide the basic educational equipment and resources necessary for early childhood development. We also renovate crèche and after-school club buildings where needed.

By the end of 2008, we will have trained almost 20 crèche teachers, 11 After-school club teachers and impacted on the lives of over 300 children.

The Pebbles Project team are dedicated group of young professionals from education, legal, wine industry and charity backgrounds who are passionate about offering a future for these children with special needs.

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