Day Centre for Women and Children
About Us
Ntlo ea Lebone, also known as The Lighthouse, is a Christian non-profit organization based in Clarens, Eastern Free State, South Africa. We are dedicated to supporting local women and young children from disadvantaged communities.
Our programs focus on nutrition, basic health care, education, and overall well-being. We work through a two-fold, phased approach:
Phase 1: We provide essential support to ensure the basic well-being of mothers and children in our care—our “family.”
Phase 2: We empower women to discover and develop their God-given skills, creating opportunities for future employment or entrepreneurship.
At Ntlo ea Lebone, we believe in building strong foundations for healthier families and brighter futures.
OUR GOALS FOR OUR KIDS
Newborn (0-3 Months)
Infant (3-12 Months)
In our baby room, dedicated volunteers provide attentive and loving care for newborns and infants, ensuring that every baby is safe, nurtured, and well cared for.
Supporting Mothers & Their Little Ones
Nutrition
We provide infant formula, feeding essentials, and guidance on introducing healthy foods. Mothers also receive practical nutrition education, empowering them to nourish their babies with knowledge and confidence.
Hygiene
Our programme teaches essential infant care practices, including diaper hygiene, safe feeding routines, and daily hygiene habits that protect babies’ health and wellbeing. We provide diapers and all necessary hygiene items for our babies on a daily basis.
Development
Early stimulation plays a vital role in a child’s growth. We guide mothers in supporting their babies’ development through age-appropriate interaction, play, and care.
Newborns (0–3 months)
Focus on reflex development, sensory stimulation, feeding routines, and establishing healthy sleep patterns.
Infants (3–12 months)
Encouraging motor skills such as rolling, sitting, and crawling, while supporting early communication through babbling, playful learning, and developing cause-and-effect awareness.
Together, these interventions help mothers build confidence while giving their children the strong start every child deserves.
Toddler (1-3 Years)
Preschooler (3-5 Years)
A Day Full of Joy, Learning & Laughter
At our day centre, children accompany their mothers, with transport provided daily. Our little ones are grouped by age: 1–2 years, 2–3 years, and 4–5 years, with age-appropriate activities to spark curiosity, independence, and social skills.
Our Daily Routine:
Breakfast & Garden Play – Start the day with a healthy meal and free play in our beautiful garden.
Singing, Dancing & Music – Joyful movement and songs to energize their minds.
Structured Learning – Age-specific programs: words, motor skills, problem-solving, vocabulary, and pre-Grade RR readiness.
(English is our preferred learning language)
Lunch & Nap – Restful afternoons to recharge.
Free Play – Children enjoy outdoor play, lots of laughter and singing.
Afternoon Snack & Hygiene – Following a snack, it is bathtime. We provide all necessary hygiene items. Once the children are clean and refreshed, it’s time for reading and quiet activities.
At the end of the day, children leave with their mothers, sharing plenty of hugs and kisses and we look forward to welcoming their bright, beautiful faces the next day.
School Ready (5-6 Years)
Supporting Our First Grade RR Learners
Our very first children are now in Grade RR, and they, along with their mothers, continue to receive our care and support.
School Fees Covered – We take care of their school fees to ensure uninterrupted learning.
Safe Transport – Daily drop-off and collection from school is provided.
After-School Care at The Lighthouse – Children return to a safe, familiar environment where they enjoy lunch, a afternoon snack, and social time with their Lighthouse “brothers and sisters.”
At the Lighthouse, our Grade RR learners continue to grow, explore, and thrive in a nurturing environment that bridges home, school, and community.
Community Support – We welcome fellow Clarenites to join us in providing additional teaching and learning support for these eager young minds.
OUR GOALS FOR OUR WOMAN
Empowering Our Women
The Lighthouse is a safe haven where woman, mothers and their children can find hope, healing, and a fresh start. While volunteers lovingly care for their little ones just a few feet away, the woman have the time to focus on learning, needlework, beading,knitting,sowing and other activities, nurturing both their creativity and independence.
Training & Skills Development:
Health & Well-being – Nutrition, hygiene, and basic self-care guidance for mothers and children.
Financial Literacy – Understanding income versus expenses to manage there budgets effectively.
Education & Skills Assessment – Identifying each mother’s natural strengths to guide personal and professional growth.
Specific Skills Training – Development of employable or entrepreneurial skills tailored to individual abilities.
Ongoing Support & Progress Assessment – Regular check-ins to track growth, leading to opportunities for volunteering, employment, or entrepreneurship.
At The Lighthouse, women are empowered to build confidence, practical skills, and a pathway to independence, creating a better future for themselves and their families.
Further Education & Schooling
Education opens doors to confidence, independence, and opportunity. Some of the women in our care were unable to complete their schooling, often because life’s circumstances forced them to leave school far too early.
With the help of dedicated and compassionate volunteers, we currently provide homeschooling support, giving these women the opportunity to continue learning at their own pace in a safe and encouraging environment.
Our hope is to help each woman rediscover her confidence and belief in her own abilities. For our youngest mom, our goal is to help her catch up academically and return to formal schooling within the next two years, giving her the chance to continue her education and build a brighter future for herself and her child.
We also believe in recognising potential and nurturing it. One of our volunteers who assists with the toddler group has a deep love for working with children. Her dedication and natural care inspired us to enroll her in a skills, development course, Early Childhood Development NQF4, helping her begin her journey toward becoming a nursery school teacher.
By investing in education and skills, we help each woman move closer to a life of dignity, purpose, and self-sufficiency.
Skills training programs (ongoing)
Baking
Cooking
Gardening – Vegetable garden
Bead work
Knitting
Crochet
Sowing
Jewelry making
Work Creation
- Not every woman is naturally drawn to creative work such as needlework or sewing, but what each of them does share is a strong work ethic, dedication, and a desire to build a better future.
- With the support of Pam Golding Properties, we have launched a domestic cleaning service that provides meaningful work opportunities for the women in our programme. Through this initiative, the women receive training within a professional hospitality environment and complete practical experience in the homes of supportive community members.
- This programme not only equips them with valuable, transferable skills, but also restores confidence and independence through dignified work.
- We are deeply grateful for the encouragement and support we have received from our community. If you would like to make use of our cleaning services, please refer to our Cleaning Services Information Sheet and contact us for a quote.
Entrepreneur Program
Community Support for our woman
Cape to Clarens – Our woman are very busy crocheting 2000 wine glass holders.
Il Castello Boutique Hotel – beading napking holders for Valentines day and numerous other guest items.
Claren’s Arts Festival – making bags for all those wonderful books that will be available.
Pop Up Store – Old Stone Blue Bottle Liquor for making space available for the ladies to sell their goods.
Residential • Holiday Homes • Commercial
Contact us today to book your cleaning service or request a quote.
Supported by
Professional Cleaning Services
We offer reliable and trustworthy cleaning services from dedicated women who take pride in their work.
Once-Off Deep Cleaning
Comprehensive cleaning with a team of two experienced cleaners supervised to ensure a thorough job. We bring our own cleaning equipment and materials.
Scheduled Cleaning
Weekly | Bi-Weekly | Monthly
You will always have the same cleaner, giving you peace of mind and consistency.
Services include:
• Dusting, washing & polishing
• Floor cleaning
• Bathroom & kitchen sanitising
• Kitchen appliances & cupboards
• Bedrooms, entrance & patio areas
Optional Extras:
• Ironing (client to provide iron & ironing board)
• Laundry services (if time allows)
Ntlo ea Lebone – Here, they are encouraged to grow, uplift one another, and shine with the light of God’s love.
How We Work
Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 – 17:00
Daily attendance ensures consistent participation in programs
Transportation is provided
Shared house duties (cooking, cleaning, washing, childcare, gardening)
Training and skills development once daily basics are completed
What The Lighthouse Represents
Hope – for new beginnings
Faith – in God’s plan and purpose
Love – shared within the community and beyond