LETCEE’s model of intervention, which has now become known as the SiSi model, has received recognition from Unicef as a model of excellence. SiSi is an acronym created from the names of first two projects LETCEE implemented namely Siyabathanda Abantwana and Sikhulakahle. Sisi is also the colloquial Zulu word for sister which highlights the relational aspect of the model. The SiSi model of ECD provision is a family based intervention implemented on two levels:

i. Family Facilitators (FFs) who are now known as Abahambi (meaning 'people that go') visit the homes of children not attending an ECD site and facilitate ‘learning through play’ activities.  

ii. Buddies commit to playing boisterous games, reading stories and engaging in early literacy activities with younger children.  

The SiSi model is value-driven based on respect, participation and partnership. LETCEE works closely with the traditional leadership and the community committee, who become responsible for the selection of the volunteers and the recipient families. The committee, which consists of ward representatives, representatives from the education and health sectors, women’s groups and faith based organizations, is consulted when budgetary and implementation decisions are made and is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the programme in their community.  

Other principles that inform the projects are interrelated and emanate from the view that holistic ECD or Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) considers the child within a family and a community. This means that various needs of children and their families including their emotional well-being, health, nutrition, documentation and education must be taken into account. 

The entry point into the community is the education of young children, and places the interests of the child first. The importance of relationships lies at the heart of the approach and the model places great emphasis on building relationships of care and support within and around the family in order to build the child. The primacy of the role of caregivers in supporting the child is respected and valued. It sees the family as the basic unit to nurture children’s growth, development, learning and well-being.  LETCEE sees the community as a resource. As opposed to a model where solutions are imposed on a community, the approach acknowledges that the community has resources critical to the support of poor and vulnerable young children. ‘Children’s champions’ are identified within the community to build sustainability and families are encouraged to build relationships with other families in order to foster mutual support. Families are also linked with resources within the community such as clinics, schools and income-generating projects.  

Implementation

Pivotal to the intervention are the FF’s or Abahambi. This group of women are selected for the community from the community by the community. Each FF/Mhambi visits between 10 and 15 families, who live within walking distance (i.e. not more than a 40 minute walk) from her home. The structure of the visit is determined by the number and ages of the children, the location of the home and the situation within the family. Sometimes children will be ‘collected’ from their homes and walked to a neighbouring home, to join the children there whereas at another home the FF/Mhambi may play with an individual child. In some cases, a group of children learn the FFs/Mhambi's routine and an informal, traveling playgroup forms. All children at the homestead are welcome to participate, and there are a number of children with disabilities who are included regularly. The primary concern is to build, maintain and strengthen the relationship with each child, understanding their situation and meeting their needs.

The FF/Mhambi has a bag of toys, which she takes with her when visiting. Her toy bag contains some basic equipment – crayons and paper, a ball, a doll, 2 or 3 cars etc. To this she adds educational toys and games from the Toy Library, which has been established in the community, for the use of the FFs/Abahambi and the ECD practitioners at the ECD sites. The selection of toys takes into account the fact that these are, in all probability, the only toys the children will have access to.  

The visit lasts approximately 3 hours. The caregivers, and other family members are encouraged to join in the play, and toys may be left behind so that play can be extended and repeated on the ensuing days. This toy will then be exchanged at the next visit. Elderly caregivers are persuaded to tell stories during the sessions, and to make this part of their daily routine. Once the children are involved in their own play, the FF/Mhambi will spend some time with the caregiver, listening, advising and sharing information. The FFs/Abahambi respect the roles of caregivers and members of the extended family and adopt a non-judgemental attitude, modeling good parenting skills rather than assuming a didactic approach.  

The FFs/Abahambi are registered for the Basic Certificate in ECD, and the training has an emphasis on home visits rather than centre-based programmes. They are also trained to use play as a counseling tool for bereavement and loss. Regular workshops ensure that they are able to provide accurate information about HIV/AIDS, support the accessing of relevant grants and assist with other problems the caregivers may have.  The FFs/Abahambi are supported by and report to an ECD Coordinator, employed by LETCEE. The Co-ordinator is also from the community and she assists the FFs/Abahambi with the planning and implementation of play activities. The FFs/Abahambi are accountable to their Co-ordinator, and both account to the community committee. The FFs/Abahambi and Coordinators submit reports to LETCEE who account to the local leadership, the committee and funders. This creates a network of accountability, which promotes community ownership and responsibility, and joint problem solving.  

The second group of volunteers are the Buddies. The Buddies are older children (10-15 year olds) from the recipient families. Each group of 3 is assigned to a FF/Mhambi who mentors them and monitors their activities. The Buddies undertake to visit the young children in the programme after school or at weekends to play boisterous games and read stories with them. They are encouraged to play indigenous games and to include traditional dance in the play times. Some assist elderly caregivers with tasks requiring reading and writing, for example, read notices and medicine labels and recording contact details of absent family members. 

The Buddies participate in self-development activities and enjoy group ‘camps’ in the holidays. Their relationship with a FF/Mhambi builds their self-confidence and they are able to share their concerns and tell them about incidence of abuse and neglect within their peers.  Many of these older siblings display signs of adultification. These children have had to take on inappropriate levels of responsibility, and participate in making important long-term decisions regarding finances and siblings. As a result, they develop a tendency to worry excessively. This may result in problems at school, and with the extended family where they are labeled as precocious and undisciplined. Having the opportunity to help others is an important resilience enhancing process, in which they gain positive recognition for doing good work and caring for others. It also provides a respite period when they can ‘just be a child’. This child-to-child component of the project has proved valuable and ensures some continuity for children as they move on the continuum of vulnerability.

LETCEE offers training to other organizations in the SiSi Model as well as Buddy training. Should you wish to find out more about either of these, please contact Mary James on + 27 33 413 2736 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it