Mbali Madida, from Gingindlovu, KwaZulu-Natal, has been working with children since 2018 and has been going to different schools for different projects as an Early Learning Outcomes Measure (ELOM) assessor. This is her story.
BECOMING AN ELOM ASSESSOR
Mbali received an opportunity to go and do ELOM assessments; “At that time, I didn’t know what ELOM was. So, when I got there, apparently it was a study that focused on children. And I love children. So, I was very interested and very excited. And since then, I’ve never, never, never let go of ELOM. I’ve chosen ELOM over other studies…Because it has children…Before I look at the salary, the location and everything, I choose children. Because I believe that there’s so much that I can do to change the way children are being raised in South Africa. More especially because I have children.”
IMPACT
Being an ELOM assessor has provided Mbali with many opportunities without having to actively search for them. “I can’t remember the last time I actually looked for an ELOM project. It’s always them finding me. And while the project is ongoing, another one would come and approach me…”
The financial gains from being an ELOM assessor have also helped Mbali a great deal; “with the salary that I got…I actually built a foundation for my house…I believe that I’ll be able to add furniture into that house. It’s not gonna be enough, but financially, it is really boosting me. It has taken me from one step higher, two steps, five steps higher. It has made me do things I never thought I would be able to do.”
EXPERIENCE AS AN ASSESSOR
In the six+ years that Mbali has been an ELOM assessor, there have been several learnings along the way. “It has helped me understand children.” “Being an assessor needs someone who has a heart for children, someone who is a mother by nature, someone who has time, someone who has a heart”.
“I believe it is important to be a good ELOM assessor. You need to do ELOM every day. You need to think about it. You need to analyse it. You need to talk about it. You need to practise it.”
THE FUTURE OF ELOM AND ELOM ASSESSMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
“I think ELOM is doing well. It’s growing in South Africa. I think it’s giving us parents an idea that this is what you need to do with your children at home. It gives teachers an idea that this is what you need to do with children at school…So ELOM works with children, parents, and teachers. I think in South Africa, it’s growing.”
Find out more about becoming an ELOM assessor or training partner
Visit News and Opportunities or email assessors@datadrive2030.co.za to learn more:
