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Armed with a background in finance and a passion for uplifting underprivileged children, Indira Melela Lubambo joined forces with GrandWest to offer parents affordable childcare for date nights, while helping to fund a Saturday school NPO for township children.
The Gugulethu-born 39-year-old first approached GrandWest in 2019 to sponsor Melela 4 Children, her non-profit organisation, which today works with more than 500 Grade 4 to Grade 6 learners from five primary schools, offering Maths and English tuition on Saturdays. Students from various universities volunteer their time to handle tutoring of the learners at the schools in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Dunoon and Nyanga from 8am until 1pm, with lunch provided.
Last year Melela 4 Children received a R111 000 loan from GrandWest to support the daily operations of the childcare facility Melela’s Kids Corner, and a grant of R58 000.
“While GrandWest has always put their hand in their pocket to assist Melela4Children, in 2019 they gave me an opportunity to open Melela’s Kids Corner Creche at GrandWest, which gives profits to Melela 4 Children, and provides parents of children in the programme with training and employment as carers at the childcare facility,” Lubambo said.
Melela’s Kids Corner provides a safe and secure environment for children aged six months to 12 years who are visiting GrandWest with their families. The facilities include a play area, with a jungle gym, reading and art corner, PlayStation and an educational games area. “There is enough space for kids to run around and a dedicated rest area. Our assistants are all trained in first aid, hold a matric certificate, have no criminal records and are experienced in childcare.”
Parents must check their children in with a copy of their ID, and are provided with a numbered receipt which is used to collect the child.
“With Melela’s Kids Corner, parents can enjoy a guilt-free date, knowing their children are having fun and are well taken care of while they enjoy their date night. The money they pay for childcare also goes towards a good cause, so they can have fun while doing good,” said GrandWest General Manager Mervyn Naidoo.
Melela’s Kids Corner cares for a maximum of 25 children, seven days a week, from 10am until 11pm Thursdays to Sunday and school holidays, and 1pm – 11pm Monday to Wednesday. Per hour rates are R55 (out of nappies) or R60 (in nappies), and each child may stay a maximum of four hours.