Since most black communities in South Africa have been made powerless because of race and poverty, there is a pressing need to empower the individuals of such communities to take charge of their own destinies, especially in the area of early childhood education and care (educare). Current educare projects are often completely or partially controlled by organizations or people outside of the community. Individuals or groups involved in educare and educational reform can best help local communities not by telling them what to do, but by empowering the community to make its own decisions by providing them with reliable information and support. With appropriate training and support, the South African poor can provide their own educare services. It is only through the empowerment of the disadvantaged that disadvantage itself can be overcome. (MDM)