Pre-Loved Toys and Books Find New Life with Little Learners

Photo Credit: Skitterphoto via Pexels

What started as a simple mission to clear out the clutter turned into a beautiful way to brighten under-resourced classrooms.

Durban, South Africa (02 March 2026) – Spring cleaning has a way of surfacing long-forgotten treasures hidden in dusty corners or buried under piles of clutter. These range from impulsive ‘as-seen-on-TV’ purchases to clothes that haven’t seen the light of day in years. For Jamaica Francis, it was the discovery of her children’s toy cupboard and bookshelves.

“I ended up with a treasure trove of lovely playthings and books which my kids no longer use, and knew there would be someone who could use them to bring joy to other young children; to give them a new lease on life,” she shares.

These items, including “Heffalump” and a friend believed to be “Tigger in disguise”, found their way to The Domino Foundation offices recently and decided to stay! They had come along with Jamaica, who had heard that there were a whole lot of pre-schoolers on Domino’s Early Childhood Development programme.

“The ECD centres we partner with are most often short on teaching resources, so, we are thrilled when kind-hearted supporters donate good quality pre-loved items like these, which will enrich the little pre-schoolers’ learning experience,” shares the Foundation’s Rowan Phillips.

Leader of Domino’s ECD team, Thembelihle Mkhwanazi, explained that the programme partners with 34 community pre-schools on the path to formal registration with the Department of Basic Education, most of which need good quality educational toys and other materials.

“The owners and teachers have regular input from our field workers and, through quarterly workshops, have been equipped to run the centres as sustainable small businesses, but teaching resources are often in short supply.”

Members of Domino’s ECD team, Thembelihle Mkhwanazi (left) and Zanele Nzimakwe are full of smiles at the gift of pre-loved toys and books brought by Jamaica Francis (centre).

The ECD Link liaison manager, Zanele Nzimakwe, added that playing with toys has an essential role in children’s development:

“While having fun with the toys, little learners can explore the world around them, educating themselves as they role-play, and learning how to express their feelings and thoughts.”

Zanele emphasised that many homes with children at the ECD centres her team works with are very unlikely to have any books at all. Therefore, story-time at school becomes a vital part of their day.

“Forty-three per cent of South African homes have no books whatsoever, and many parents do not consider storytelling an important part of interacting with their children.”

Thembelihle said that Jamaica’s gift was very gratefully received and invited other mums to get into a clear-out of pre-loved toys, children’s early-start puzzles and books in good condition, looking for good new homes.

Hefallump trumpeted:

“Give your kiddies’ toys a second chance at making great memories! Give them to Domino and join me and Tigger (in disguise) to help pre-schoolers to be thoroughly school-ready in every way.”

Thembelihle can be contacted at ecd@domino.org.za, and donations can be dropped off at Domino’s offices on 125 Adelaide Tambo Drive, Durban North.