Nydene’s Story
Nydene’s Story
22-year-old Nydene grew up on Niel Joubert Wines, where she still lives with her uncle. As a baby, she attended the Pebbles Project Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre on the farm and, at age six, joined the Pebbles Project After-School Club.
When a Pebbles Project Early Care and Education Programme (ECEP) Educator and Trainer noticed that Nydene was facing learning barriers, she helped her enrol at Dorothea School in Stellenbosch, a school dedicated to supporting children with special educational needs.
Nydene always dreamed of working with children. She shares, “When I was a little girl, I would walk past the Pebbles ECD centre on the farm and dream of working inside one day. It was my heart’s biggest desire to work for Pebbles and to work with the children.”
After completing school, her uncle reached out to the Pebbles Project Stellenbosch area manager to inquire about any available opportunities. Nydene began volunteering at the ECD centre for six months before being offered full-time employment. She now works as a First Thousand Days (FTD) assistant, supporting the practitioners in caring for the babies.
The Pebbles Project Early Care and Education Programme (ECEP) supports children from conception to the age of five through two sub-programmes: the First Thousand Days (FTD) Programme (0–2.5 years) and the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme (2.5–5 years). The ECEP is delivered at ECD centres located on Pebbles’ partner farms.
Nydene says, “It is my passion to work with children, especially to look after the babies. I also enjoy working with the other practitioners, we’re a great team. I can’t see myself working anywhere else.”
Reflecting on her journey, Nydene is proud of all she’s achieved: “I am very proud of the work that I do, and my family is also proud of how far I’ve come.” She speaks with deep gratitude for Pebbles Project: “Pebbles is made up of a team of people who look at who you are as a person and really try to find a way for you to shine. Pebbles made my childhood dream come true. If it wasn’t for Pebbles, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
The Pebbles Project team is incredibly proud of Nydene; of her strength, her dedication, and the compassion she brings to her work every day. Watching her dream come to life is a true inspiration to everyone who knows her.
*This story captures a period in the beneficiary’s journey during their involvement with Pebbles Project and reflects their circumstances at the time it was written.