Aquina Cares ECD Centre is a registered Non-Profit Organization (NPO number: 254-304 NPO) and a Public Benefit Organization (PBO number: 930075741) in Mount Moriah, Durban, South Africa for children aged 0 month to 6 years, and to 14 years for aftercare. Aquina Cares was initiated on the 1st of September 2020 by Zola Kiala whose heart refuse to look away. With little to begin with, other that conviction that children deserve better than the poverty that surrounds them. To break the cycle of poverty, they must be educated. Nelson Mandela said: “Education is a powerful weapon to change the world”

Currently Aquina Cares ECD Centre cater 75 children. They are taught, fed (breakfast @ 08:00 am, sandwiches @ 10:30 am , lunch @ 12:15 pm and snacks @ 02:15 pm), protected, hugged, sung to, and guided, not as statistics or "beneficiaries" but as children with names, futures, and the right to a childhood that makes sense to break the cycle of poverty.

Aquina Cares ECD Centre is a Non-Profit Organization that services the Mount Moriah and surrounding communities of underprivileged and vulnerable children. There is no other alternative for these children. That is why it is in existence to help them. So many children come from single-parent homes and homes from unemployed parents or guardians. We are within walking distance for many of these children, and for those coming from nearby areas, we are within walking distance from the taxi stop. Since 01 September 2020, through its care, Aquina Cares ECD Centre has actively reached out to kids in particular and to the community in general, and touched their lives significantly over the 5 years: - 203 children (0 month to 6 years for the preschool, and after care to14 years) had benefit of the services and care of the Centre, - 25 children had brilliantly passed their grade R tests; the schools decided to enrole them directly to Grade 1. - 75 children registered to Grade R in different primary schools. The centre has an active Board members who meet regularly.

Due to our services, the beneficiaries’ number increases monthly. As per our vision, we are aiming to have a foundation phase of primary school in the next 5 years; and the full primary school in the next 10 years. We are aiming to bring the best education clause to these unfortunate children instead of them travelling to other areas’ school and back home as most of the parents/ guardians will not afford to cover the transport and other costs related to. From the actual 75 children, 22 of these children pay no fees at all - not because they don't want to, but because their families simply have nothing. Zola and Franck Kiala have walked the River Shacks themselves, visiting homes where cupboards stand empty and families survive day today on almost nothing. These are children who would not be allowed into Grade R without an ECD foundation, and so Zola and Franck carry them in all way that makes sense.

As a NPO, we rely on the generosity of other organizations and great people who has contributed enormously to the Centre from 2020 to date. As this said: we would like to request any donation (to pay the school for1 or more learners: R650 per learner per month; non perishable or frozen food; toilets papers; stationery, educational toys …) to Aquina Cares ECD Centre so it will fulfill its mission. The sponsor will receive a section 18A certificate from Aquina Cares ECD Centre. Aquina Cares ECD is not just a Pre-School. It's a lifeline, a warm pocket of possibility in a place that is too often overlooked. Supporting this appeal means placing your hand quietly on the back of a child and saying: "You matter. Your study matters. Your future matters”. We walk this journey with you. We thank you all, our old and new sponsors for the support and believes in changing the world to be a better place to live in. Stay Richly Blessed.