The year 2021/22 was particularly challenging and, at times a roller coaster experience for the entire TREE family. As I look back on 2022, I cannot help but be proud of my staff, who have proven to be strong and resilient. Despite many setbacks, I am pleased to report that we have expanded our reach into new geographies viz Northern Cape and Gauteng, with our footprint now in six provinces across South Africa.
Having survived the severe and harsh effects on COVID, looting and the recent floods, I needed to steer my team towards the journey of self-recovery and self-care. To help realign their thinking, that self-care is not selfishness…you cannot pour from an empty vessel.
It all starts with self, as agents of change we have an opportunity to influence, share and empower the ECD sector in our programmes as far and wide as we can reach. The ECD workforce play an integral role in developing young children and promoting their confidence and resilience in different forms of program delivery. It is therefore key that our trainers embrace the concept of self-care, to allow them to understand their why and be able to teach with purpose.
With this in mind, we set the 2022 theme for our organisation, ‘Growing Together, Complementing Each Other’. We put this into practice at TREE, by implementing an Employee Mental Wellness Initiative. On the last Friday of each month, it’s tools down at the TREE offices. Where our staff have an opportunity to leave their desks, unwind, reconnect and recharge through reflection, team building and planning ahead.
With our strategic objectives more streamlined, the team has remained focused as a collective, resulting in us achieving our set targets, expanding our reach, implementing new projects and growing new partnerships. We continue to nurture our collaborations and partnerships, that allow us to continue our work… Enabling ECD…Unlocking the Future.
A year like this does not just happen… It takes a team of skilled, dedicated and committed staff, supported by our dedicated Board of Trustees, Our generous funders, donors and trusted partners committed to the cause. The year ahead is an exciting one and we invite you to celebrate our journey as we Proudly Navigating Towards 40 years of dedication to serving our community – “Roots of Hope: 40 years of TREE’s impact on South Africa’s early education” stands as a testament to the remarkable achievements of TREE that has dedicated itself to empowering our communities to be the best they can be. Through its unwavering commitment to equity, inclusivity, and excellence in early education.
As TREE we planted and continue to plant the seeds of hope and created a legacy that will continue to bear fruit for generations to come.
Thank you to all our partners, funders. our board of trustees and the TREE team.
Love to All
MAM’Ruby
Please click the image below to download and view our 2022 annual report:
