http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/contact_sheet/33257 The pictures in this series are part of an ongoing personal project. I have been shooting Township Nursery Schools and general ECD (Early Childhood Development) for the last 5 or 6 year as a personal photographic project. Township Nursery Schools in South Africa generally start in backyards. They are a legacy of the incredible community spirit within the South African townships. Generally, one mother in the area will offer to look after the children of other local mothers so that they can go out and work. These schools often start out in one room of a shack or home, they are often dark and damp with little or no educational resources. The caregiver often has no formal qualification, but always a huge loving and caring heart and soul. The Catch 22: The schools generally expand rapidly. There are systems in place where the government will recognise the school as a school and then help with funding and development of infrastructure and training - but only once they reach a certain level of compliance with government regulations. For most, these levels of compliance are completely impossible without 1st receiving some sort of guidance and financial assistance. There are a number of NGO's that are working on helping uplift the infrastructure and skills at these school to the required level so that they may be registered and then pertly funded by government. http://www.lightstalkers.org en-us http://images.lightstalkers.org/avatars/46018/facebook_Icon_small.jpg http://www.lightstalkers.org/Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325091/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_001_small.jpg' /><br />A typical South African Township Scene<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325091'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325091 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:39:55 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325091 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325091/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_001_small.jpg' /><br />A typical South African Township Scene<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325091'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325094/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_002_small.jpg' /><br />Exterior of a Township Nursery School<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325094'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325094 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:41:10 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325094 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325094/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_002_small.jpg' /><br />Exterior of a Township Nursery School<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325094'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325097/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_003_small.jpg' /><br />Students in a Classroom, the structure is made of found scraps and planks of wood - there is little light and insulation.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325097'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325097 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:42:17 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325097 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325097/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_003_small.jpg' /><br />Students in a Classroom, the structure is made of found scraps and planks of wood - there is little light and insulation.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325097'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325100/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_004_small.jpg' /><br />Carer caring for infant.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325100'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325100 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:43:12 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325100 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325100/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_004_small.jpg' /><br />Carer caring for infant.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325100'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325103/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_005_small.jpg' /><br />Child in Township School<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325103'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325103 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:43:48 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325103 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325103/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_005_small.jpg' /><br />Child in Township School<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325103'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325106/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_006_small.jpg' /><br />Carer caring for child.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325106'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325106 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:44:32 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325106 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325106/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_006_small.jpg' /><br />Carer caring for child.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325106'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325109/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_007_small.jpg' /><br />A class in progress...<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325109'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325109 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:45:10 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325109 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325109/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_007_small.jpg' /><br />A class in progress...<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325109'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325112/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_008_small.jpg' /><br />A typical township scene - childrens clothing hanging out to dry...<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325112'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325112 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:46:07 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325112 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325112/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_008_small.jpg' /><br />A typical township scene - childrens clothing hanging out to dry...<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325112'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325115/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_009_small.jpg' /><br />Classroom scene.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325115'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325115 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:46:42 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325115 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325115/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_009_small.jpg' /><br />Classroom scene.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325115'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325118/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_010_small.jpg' /><br />Many of the informal schools are actually peoples homes - the furnishings in some of the rooms removed in the day and thus converted to classrooms - a school/home passage is depicted in this image.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325118'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325118 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:48:29 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325118 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325118/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_010_small.jpg' /><br />Many of the informal schools are actually peoples homes - the furnishings in some of the rooms removed in the day and thus converted to classrooms - a school/home passage is depicted in this image.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325118'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325121/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_011_small.jpg' /><br />A baby chair from the 80's - used in this school.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325121'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325121 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:49:41 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325121 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325121/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_011_small.jpg' /><br />A baby chair from the 80's - used in this school.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325121'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325124/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_012_small.jpg' /><br />A classroom scene<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325124'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325124 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:50:08 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325124 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325124/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_012_small.jpg' /><br />A classroom scene<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325124'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325127/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_013_small.jpg' /><br />The door looking from the outside toilet toward the classroom and play area<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325127'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325127 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:50:55 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325127 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325127/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_013_small.jpg' /><br />The door looking from the outside toilet toward the classroom and play area<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325127'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325130/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_014_small.jpg' /><br />A kitchen scene - many of the schools are involved with NGO's that offer feeding schemes for the children. Sometimes the meal the child receieves at school may be it's only solid meal for a day. Good nutrition is vital children to be able concentrate during lessons.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325130'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325130 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:52:39 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325130 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325130/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_014_small.jpg' /><br />A kitchen scene - many of the schools are involved with NGO's that offer feeding schemes for the children. Sometimes the meal the child receieves at school may be it's only solid meal for a day. Good nutrition is vital children to be able concentrate during lessons.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325130'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325133/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_015_small.jpg' /><br />Classroom Exterior<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325133'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325133 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:53:11 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325133 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325133/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_015_small.jpg' /><br />Classroom Exterior<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325133'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325136/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_016_small.jpg' /><br />Happy kids are happy nations<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325136'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325136 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:54:08 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325136 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325136/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_016_small.jpg' /><br />Happy kids are happy nations<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325136'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325139/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_017_small.jpg' /><br />Momma returning to pick up her child after a long day working.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325139'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325139 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:54:52 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325139 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1325139/alfred_lor_documentary_photography_ecd_017_small.jpg' /><br />Momma returning to pick up her child after a long day working.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1325139'>view full-size image</a> Alfred Lor