I am an Early Childhood Development (ECD) teacher. I understand my calling and the value of what I carry. With this calling comes the understanding that every child’s life must be filled with love, care, happiness, safety, and protection. Sadly, for many, this is not the reality, and that is the challenge we face every day.

I have learned the importance of learning through play. When I stand in front of our little ones and watch them play, their happy faces, frequent giggles, and carefree joy define the power of the word PLAY:

P – Provide a stimulating play and learning environment

L – Love them unconditionally

A – Be aware of each child’s individual needs and maintain a positive attitude

Y – Invite curiosity and help each child believe in themselves.

This reminds me to let the children just be to enjoy the moment, because for many, the classroom and the ECD centre are their only happy places. Why does this matter? Because I know my own value, and the value of children. I have trade value; I have currency. I refuse to be underestimated or dismissed as a “babysitter”, after all, I am not sitting on any child! I am a carer, a nurturer, an educator, and so much more. I have value. I am currency.

I am looking at the Heart, and I see an emotional shift. I realise that care workers in the three Extended Public Works Programme care sectors (ECD Practitioners, Community Health Workers, and Food Handlers) have currency of influence, wisdom, creativity, faith, tenacity and endurance. But can we see it? We might not see our value because we feel unappreciated, unseen, and undervalued. I have learned to look inward, to search my heart through introspection. The conclusion I reach is this: who we are is bigger than ourselves because the impact we make is generational. We are born with currency, a value that makes us powerful.

I am looking at the Hand. What is the action that we must take? Let’s take each other by the hand, hook each other in and let’s move into action together. I want to address our government, parents, and communities. See the hand that helps to nurture our children. Invest in care workers. By joining hands, by acting intentionally and deliberately, we build a lasting legacy. We must ask our president: What is the value of Food Handlers, Community Health Workers, and ECD Practitioners to you? We need you to see the impact, because the evidence speaks for itself.

The emotional, financial, and mental well-being of care workers has been overlooked for too long. Now, as the muzzles fall away and our voices are heard, we begin to recognise our collective value. And it is more than voice, it is sound. Sound travels. It carries frequency. Sound moves far beyond its point of origin. The sound we carry holds power, which is our currency.

My comrades, let us trade our power wisely. Our identity is not defined by what others say or how they treat us. Our identity is in who we believe we are. We are the salt of the earth, unshaken and steadfast.

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