Uplifting Women, Uplifting Communities. These are our Maatla Mamas!

Dumelang Play Pals!

Earlier this year, after much deliberation and extensive consultation, we changed the name of our community early childhood educators from Mamapreneurs to Maatla Mamas.

Maatla, meaning strength or life force energy, encapsulates the essence of these incredible women who form the backbone of our organisation. Our Maatla Mamas exemplify strength in every aspect of their work - the strength and energy they bring to families and children every day, the strong foundation they build through nurturing care and early childhood education, and the unwavering determination they display in overcoming challenges.

By choosing a Setswana word, we aim to truly represent the communities and women we serve. We want a term that they can easily own, identify with, and be confident about. "Maatla Mamas" not only reflects their strength but also builds their self-esteem and demonstrates to other community members, parents, and stakeholders their true value.

The Maatla Mama Training Program:

In a world where opportunities for women are expanding, it's essential to have initiatives that uplift and support them. That's where Learn To Play's Maatla Mama training program comes in. It's all about giving women the tools they need to soar and helping others join in on the upliftment journey.

So, what's Maatla Mamas all about? It's not just your average educator training program – we have seen first hand, over the last 7 years, it’s a game-changer. We believe every woman has unique talents waiting to be unleashed. We train women from marginalised communities across Botswana and Africa in essential skills to become Early Childhood Educators at our playgroups. But it's not just about education – we also focus on life skills like mindfulness, first aid, financial literacy, and more. Because we know that's what it takes to truly thrive and bring change to the communities we live in.

“Because each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women” - Maya Angelou

Through our programme, we've seen women and their families bloom in ways they never thought possible. All of our Maatla Mamas lived in poverty before they received our training, now 100% of them have been lifted above the poverty line.

It's not just about learning new skills; it's about gaining confidence and finding your voice. And the best part? These women become ambassadors for change in their communities.

How You Can Get Involved:

Want to offer Maatla to a Mama? Here's how:

• Be a Mentor: Got skills and experience to share? Become a mentor and help uplift the next generation of women leaders.
• Spread the Word: Share our story on social media, tell your friends, and help us spread the word about Maatla Mamas.
• Partner Up: If your organization shares our passion for uplifting women, let's join forces and make an even bigger impact together.

Conclusion:

At Learn To Play, we're all about lifting each other up and creating a world where every woman has the chance to shine. With our Maatla Mama training program, we're turning that vision into reality, one mother and woman at a time. So, what are you waiting for? Join us on this journey of upliftment and let's make a difference together! Scan the QR code below to give today with Learn To Play.