During a chance encounter at a Princeton Seminary Christmas party back in 2014 Nancy Schongalla happened to meet Professor Malan New and his wife Marlese. They were from South Africa. Malan is a beloved and deeply respected professor at University of Pretoria, and has written 28 books in areas of pastoral care, youth ministry, and church development.

A marvelous two-week ASAP-sponsored tour of South Africa will be led by Dr. Kevin Dean, an ASAP board member. Kevin organized our 2024 tour featured in the video and is a pro, having led 18 study tours to South Africa for West Chester University students! 

Can you believe this plain container has become a beautiful toy library?!  After months of searching, the ideal place was found for a second Soweto toy library on the grounds of the Anglican Church in Orlando West where Archbishop Desmond Tutu worshipped.

Adopt a South African Preschool(ASAP)creates and maintains Libraries of Educational Toys in impoverished communities where most children languish in overcrowded daycares, safe, minimally fed, but not stimulated.

What a meaningful two weeks I have had in South Africa! I am happy to report that many of the 200 crates of blocks funded in 2025 have already made their way into small hands, thanks to ASAP donors!

A daily “brain boost” of nutritious food is now being distributed to 900 children in preschools registered at the toy library training hub in Senekal, Free State.

Can you believe this plain container will become a beautiful toy library?! After months of searching, the ideal location was found for a second Soweto toy library on the grounds of an Anglican Church. The toy library will be across the street from where a 1976 student-led uprising against apartheid education policies led to the tragic massacre of 157 children. Before, during, and after photos on this homepage will tell the exciting, unfolding story of ASAP’s ninth toy library!

Laughter, joy and anticipation filled the air as preschool owners from ASAP’s Educational Toy Libraries gathered for their annual, end of the year celebration. South Africans across the board love parties—decorations, music, great food, dancing…!

You can be one of the lucky 12 who will have a wonderful July 31-August 14 tour of South Africa. Dr. Kevin Dean is an ASAP board member who led our 2024 tour featured in the photo.

Did you, or your children, or your grandchildren, enjoy building roads, towers, and cities with wooden blocks?

ASAP’s fall campaign aims to fund 200+ sets of 100 handmade wooden blocks which last forever. Preschools can “earn to own” these blocks which are the most valuable resource for learning through play.

ASAP’s September yard sale was the official kickoff of the Fall campaign to fund 200+ sets of 110 handmade, wooden blocks to help children gain the foundation to succeed in school, and in life!

ASAP not only establishes libraries of educational toys. Our South Africa team headed by Marlese Nel, pictured here, takes stock annually of our soon-to-be 9 libraries.

In a world where technology is quickly evolving and shaping the ways we work, learn, and connect, our ASAP-PEN preschool coaches working in impoverished South African communities are delighted to benefit from innovative tools.

The preschool coaches at the Johannesburg hub were delighted by Marlese’s visit for the Toy Library training in August 2025.

Can Learning Through Play Really Be the Key to Success in Life? by Maria Nienaber, who directs ASAP’s partner-NGO “Young Children’s Program.”

ASAP Yard Sale Extravaganza! Saturday, Sept. 6th: Donate things, Buy things, Win things!

ASAP Honored Nelson Mandela’s Birthday and Legacy at United Christian Church in Levittown on July 20th, 2025.

How does the ASAP-PEN model turn babysitters into preschool teachers? Seeing is believing, in this short video!

Boys and girls develop fine motor skills, imagination, and empathy while playing with ASAP-supplied dolls clothed in beautiful outfits made by volunteers from churches and retirement communities.

Owners and staff of preschools registered at ASAP’s first six Educational Toy Libraries were recently trained to “make math fun” for 4-6 year-olds.