La placentation humaine est de type hémomonochoriale, le sang maternel est directement en contact avec le syncytiotrophoblaste. Les flux sanguins maternels, dans la chambre intervilleuse, exercent des forces mécaniques de cisaillement (shear stress) sur la surface microvillositaire du syncytiotrophoblaste. Les effets physiologiques du shear stress exercé par les flux sanguins sur l’endothélium vasculaire artériel et veineux ont fait l’objet de nombreux travaux scientifiques. En revanche, les effets biologiques du shear stress sur le syncytiotrophoblaste humain n’ont jamais été explorés. L’objectif de ce travail était premièrement d’évaluer les valeurs du shear stress exercé in vivo sur le syncytiotrophoblaste humain au cours des grossesses normales, puis de mettre au point un modèle de culture primaire dynamique afin de reproduire les conditions physiologique et d’étudier in vitro la réponse biologique du syncytiotrophoblaste au shear stress. En dépit d’un débit sanguin maternel intraplacentaire important, estimé entre 400 et 600 mL.min-1, le shear stress moyen exercée par le syncytiotrophoblaste est estimée entre 0.5±0.2 et 2.3±1.1 dyn.cm-2. Nos résultats montrent cependant que l’intensité du shear stress est très hétérogène tant à l’échelle de la chambre intervilleuse que de la villosité terminale. Nous avons développé un modèle de culture cellulaire dynamique en condition de flux adapté au syncytiotrophoblaste humain. Ce modèle permet d’appliquer un shear stress égal et constant sur toutes les cellules cultivées et reproductible à chaque culture primaire. Aux gammes de shear stress étudiées (1 dyn.cm-2), nous n’avons pas mis en évidence de diminution de la viabilité cellulaire ni de déclenchement des processus précoces d’apoptose en conditions dynamiques comparativement aux conditions statiques. Deux types de chambre de perfusion permettent d’étudier des réponses cellulaires au shear stress à court et long terme selon des temps d’exposition allant de 5 minutes à 24 heures. Ce modèle expérimental a permis de montrer que le syncytiotrophoblaste humain en culture primaire est mécanosensible. La réponse cellulaire à des niveaux de shear stress de 1 dyn.cm-2 est multiple selon les temps d’exposition et le niveau d’intégration étudié. Après 45 minutes de shear stress les taux d’AMP cyclique intracellulaires sont augmentés ce qui a pour effet d’activer la voie de signalisation intracellulaire PKA-CREB. Cette augmentation d’AMP cyclique est secondaire à la synthèse et la libération de prostaglandine E2 qui, par une boucle de régulation autocrine stimule l’adenylate cyclase. L’augmentation de la synthèse/libération de PGE2 est dépendante de l’augmentation rapide du calcium intracellulaire sous shear stress. L’exposition au shear stress de 24 heures stimule l’expression et la sécrétion du PlGF, un facteur de croissance indispensable à l’angiogenèse placentaire et pour l’adaptation maternelle à la grossesse sur le plan vasculaire. Nos travaux montrent que l’augmentation de l’AMPc intracellulaire et l’activation de la PKA contribuent à la phosphorylation de CREB, facteur de transcription régulant l’expression du PlGF. / Human placentation is hemomonochorial, maternal blood circulates in direct contact with the syncytiotrophoblast. In the intervillous space, the maternal blood exerts frictional mechanical forces (shear stress) on the microvillous surface of the syncytiotrophoblast. Flowing blood constantly exerts a shear stress, on the endothelial cells lining blood vessel walls, and the endothelial cells respond to shear stress by changing their morphology, function, and gene expression. The effects of shear stress on the human syncytiotrophoblast and its biological functions have never been studied. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine in silico the physiological values of shear stress exerted on human syncytiotrophoblast during normal pregnancies, (2) to develop a model reproducing in vitro the shear stress on human syncytiotrophoblast and (3) to study in vitro the biological response of human syncytiotrophoblast to shear stress. The 2D numerical simulations showed that the shear stress applied to the syncytiotrophoblast is highly heterogeneous in the intervillous space. In spite of high intraplacental maternal blood flow rates (400-600mL.min-1), the estimated average values of shear stress are relatively low (0.5±0.2 to 2.3±1.1 dyn.cm-2). To study the shear stress-induced cellular responses during exposure times ranging from 5 minutes to 24 hours we have developed two dynamic cell culture models adapted to the human syncytiotrophoblast. We found no evidence of decreased cell viability or early processes of apoptosis in dynamic conditions (1 dyn.cm-2, 24h) compared to static conditions. Shear stress (1 dyn.cm-2) triggers intracellular calcium flux, which increases the synthesis and release of PGE2. The enhanced intracellular cAMP in FSS conditions was blocked by COX1/COX2 inhibitors, suggesting that the increase in PGE2 production could activate the cAMP/PKA pathway in an autocrine/paracrine fashion. FSS activates the cAMP/PKA pathway leading to upregulation of PlGF in human STB. Shear stress-induced phosphorylation of CREB and upregulation of PlGF were prevented by inhibition of PKA with H89 (3 μM). The syncytiotrophoblast of the human placenta is a mechanosenstive tissue.

La fonction de reproduction est sous le contrôle de la neurohormone hypothalamique GnRH qui régule la synthèse et la libération des gonadotropines hypophysaires. La GnRH agit par l’intermédiaire d’un récepteur couplé aux protéines G exprimé à la surface des cellules gonadotropes, le récepteur de la GnRH (RGnRH). Ce récepteur, chez les mammifères, a la particularité d’être dépourvu de queue C terminale ce qui le rend insensible aux systèmes classiques de désensibilisation. Ainsi, les mécanismes qui régulent l’efficacité et la spécificité de sa signalisation demeurent mal connus. Nous avons recherché des partenaires d’interaction du RGnRH, jusqu’alors inconnus, avec l’idée que ces protéines en interagissant avec les domaines intracellulaires du récepteur influenceraient son couplage aux voies de signalisation. Nos travaux ont permis d’identifier le premier partenaire d’interaction du RGnRH : la protéine SET. Par des expériences de « GST pull down », nous avons montré que SET interagit directement avec le RGnRH via le premier domaine intracellulaire du récepteur. Cette interaction implique des séquences riches en acides aminés basiques sur le récepteur et les domaines N- et C-terminaux de SET. Nous avons également montré, par co-immunoprécipitation, que le RGnRH dans sa conformation native interagit avec la protéine SET dans les cellules gonadotropes alphaT3-1 et, par immunocytochimie, que les deux protéines colocalisent à la membrane plasmique. En développant au laboratoire des outils biosenseurs permettant de mesurer avec une grande sensibilité et en temps réel les variations intracellulaires de calcium et d’AMPc, nous avons mis en évidence que le RGnRH se couple non seulement à la voie calcique mais aussi à la voie AMPc dans la lignée alphaT3-1, apportant pour l’AMPc la première démonstration d’un tel couplage. En utilisant différentes stratégies expérimentales visant à diminuer ou au contraire favoriser l’interaction du récepteur avec SET (ARN antisens, peptide correspondant à la première boucle intracellulaire du récepteur, surexpression de SET), nous avons montré que SET induit une réorientation de la signalisation du RGnRH de la voie calcique vers la voie AMPc. Nos résultats concernant l’activité du promoteur du gène du Rgnrh nous conduisent à postuler que SET pourrait favoriser l’induction par la GnRH de gènes régulés via la voie AMPc et notamment celui codant le RGnRH. Nos travaux mettent également en évidence que la GnRH régule non seulement l’expression de la protéine SET dans les cellules gonadotropes mais aussi son degré de phosphorylation favorisant ainsi sa relocalisation dans le cytoplasme des cellules alphaT3-1. Ceci suggère que la GnRH exerce une boucle de régulation permettant d’amplifier l’action de SET sur la signalisation de son propre récepteur. Enfin, nous avons mis en évidence que l’expression de SET est fortement augmentée dans l’hypophyse au moment du prœstrus chez le rat, apportant ainsi la première démonstration d’une variation de SET dans un contexte physiologique. Étant donné que le couplage du RGnRH à la voie de signalisation AMPc est augmenté au moment du prœstrus, nos résultats suggèrent que SET pourrait jouer un rôle important in vivo en favorisant ce couplage à ce stade particulier du cycle œstrien. / Reproductive function is under the control of the hypothalamic neurohormone GnRH, which regulates the synthesis and the release of pituitary gonadotropins. GnRH acts on a G-protein coupled receptor expressed at the surface of pituitary gonadotrope cells, the GnRH receptor (GnRHR). This receptor, in mammals, is unique because it is devoided of the C terminal tail, which makes it insensitive to classical desensitization processes. Therefore, the mechanisms that regulate the efficacy and the specificity of its signaling are still poorly known. We searched for interacting partners of GnRHR with the idea that these proteins by interacting with the intracellular domains of the receptor could influence receptor coupling to its signaling pathways. Our work identified the first interacting partner of GnRHR: the protein SET. By GST pull down assays, we showed that SET interacts directly with GnRHR through the first intracellular loop of the receptor. This interaction involves sequences enriched in basic amino acids in the receptor and both N- and C terminal domains of SET. We also showed, by co-immunoprecipitation, that GnRHR in its native conformation interacts with the endogenous SET protein in gonadotrope alphaT3-1 cells and, by immunocytochemistry that the two proteins colocalize at the plasma membrane. By developing in the laboratory biosensors tools that allow to measure with high sensitivity and in real-time intracellular variations in calcium and cAMP concentrations, we demonstrated that GnRHR couples not only to the calcium pathway but also to the cAMP pathway in alphaT3-1 cell line, providing for cAMP the first demonstration of such coupling. Using several experimental strategies to reduce or increase receptor interaction with SET (small interfering RNA, peptide corresponding to the first intracellular loop of the receptor, overexpression of SET), we have shown that SET induces a switch of GnRHR signaling from calcium to cAMP pathway. Our results concerning the activity of the Gnrhr gene promoter led us to postulate that SET could favor the induction by GnRH of genes regulated through the cAMP pathway, notably those encoding the GnRHR. Our study also showed that GnRH regulates not only SET protein expression in gonadotropes, but also its phosphorylation level leading to its relocation in the cytoplasm of alphaT3-1 cells. This suggests that GnRH induces a regulatory loop to amplify SET action on signaling of its own receptor. Finally, we demonstrated that SET expression is markedly increased in the pituitary gland at prœstrus in female rats, providing the first demonstration of a variation of SET expression in a physiological context. Given that GnRHR coupling to the cAMP pathway is increased at prœstrus, our results suggest that SET may play an important role in vivo by promoting such coupling at this particular stage of the estrus cycle.

Affrontando lo studio della Letteratura Italiana risulta evidente l'omissione dai manuali, ad eccezione di Primo Levi, degli scritti di coloro che sono stati deportati tra il 1939 e il 1945 in seguito alle persecuzioni razziali. Il tempo trascorso dalla Shoah ha, invece, dimostrato la presenza di un ingente quantità di opere che costituiscono il corpus della Letteratura Concentrazionaria, ossia la letteratura dei campi di concentramento. Gli autori di questa letteratura sono poco conosciuti e considerati minori, ma la loro scrittura raggiunge spesso un'ineguagliabile altezza intellettuale, morale, stilistica. La narrazione dei loro ricordi traumatici è il risultato di precise decisioni: quali fatti raccontare, in che ordine cronologico, ma soprattutto attraverso quale forma. Questi testi concentrazionari, infatti, possono essere studiati da diversi punti di vista, quello più inusuale è la divisione per generi: racconto, autobiografia, saggio, romanzo, diario, lettera, poesia. Non sempre la distinzione fra questo o quel genere è netta, ma è molto significativo che a partire da una tragedia, quale l'Olocausto, si possa scegliere di raccontare la propria esperienza prestando attenzione al modo di esprimerla. È il primo segno che dimostra quanto anche di fronte al male l'uomo non perda il desiderio di ricercare il vero ed il bello. / Such a long time has passed since the end of the Shoah and it has become clear that there are a lot of works written in those years which now form the corpus of literature based on the experiences in concentration camps. The authors of these works are not very well-known and they are usually considered minor but their works have often reached highly intellectual, moral and stylistic results. The narration of their traumatic memories is the result of precise decisions, i.e. what to tell, in what chronological order, but especially in what forms. The texts based on the experiences in concentration camps can in fact be studied from different points of view. The most unusual is their study through genres: short story, autobiography, essay, novel, journal, letter, poetry. The distinction between one genre and another is not often clear-cut. What is interesting to underline is that in front of a tragedy, as the Holocaust was, it is possible to choose to tell one's own experience by paying special attention to the way of expressing it. This is evidence that in front of evil man does not ever lose the desire to look for truth and beauty.

Los receptores β-adrenérgicos (βAR) y de serotonina (5-HT4) median sus efectos en tejidos cardiacos a través de la ruta receptor-Gs-AC-AMPc. Las fosfodiesterasas (PDE) son una amplia familia de enzimas cuya función es la degradación del AMPc. Se desconocía que isoenzimas de PDEs son responsables de la hidrólisis de AMPc en las diferentes regiones cardiacas. El objetivo de esta tesis doctoral es investigar que isoenzimas de PDEs tienen actividad en el miocardio humano, porcino y de roedores. Se han realizado estudios cronotrópicos, inotrópicos, lusitrópicos, bioquímicos y electrofisiológicos. Los principales resultados son: Las PDEs se comportan de manera distinta en las diferentes regiones cardiacas y compartimentos celulares; y La frecuencia basal de nódulo sinusal está controlada por PDEs pero en ninguna especie estudiada las PDEs controlan la taquicardia causada por los βARs y los receptores 5-HT4. La extrapolación de la función de las PDEs al humano debe h acerse con cautela. / Myocardial β-adrenoceptors (βAR) and serotonin receptors (5-HT4) mediate their signals through the receptor-Gs-AC-cAMP pathway. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are a large enzyme family that degrade cAMP. It was unknown which PDE isoenzymes are responsible for the hydrolysis of the cAMP in different cardiac regions. The aim of this doctoral thesis is to investigate which isoenzymes have a role in human, porcine and rodent myocardium. We performed chronotropic, inotropic, lusitropic, biochemical and electrophysiological studies. The key results are: PDEs have different roles in different cardiac regions and cellular compartments; and the basal beating rate of the sinoatrial node is controlled by PDE3 and/or PDE4, but these PDEs do not limit the tachycardia mediated through the stimulation of β1AR, β2AR and 5-HT4. Given the diverse roles of PDE3 and PDE4 and their dependence on species, extrapolation to humans should be done cautiously because these animal models usually do not reflect the human myocardium.

Nous avons précédemment montré que les cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires(CMLV) des rats spontanément hypertendus (SHR) présentent une expression augmentée des protéines G inhibitrices (Gi) et une prolifération cellulaire accrue par rapport aux CMLV des rats Wystar-Kyoto (WKY). Le niveau d'AMPc s’est également avéré plus faible dans les CMLV de SHR. La présente étude a donc été entreprise afin d'examiner la contribution de la diminution du niveau intracellulaire d'AMPc à l’augmentation de l'expression des protéines Gi et à la prolifération accrue des CMLV de SHR et de continuer à explorer les mécanismes moléculaires sous-jacents responsables de cette réponse. Les CMLV de SHR ont montré par rapport aux CMLV des WKY une expression accrue de Giα-2 et Giα-3 qui a été diminué d'une manière dépendante de concentration par le dbcAMP, un analogue d'AMPc perméable à la membrane cellulaire. En outre, les fonctions augmentées des protéines Gi comme démontrées par l'amplification de l’inhibition de l'adénylate cyclase par les hormones inhibitrices et l'activité forskoline (FSK)-stimulée de l’adénylate cyclase par une faible concentration de GTPγS dans les CMLV de SHR ont également été restaurées aux niveaux de WKY par le dbcAMP. La prolifération accrue des CMLV de SHR a également été atténuée par le dbcAMP et la forskoline, un activateur de l'adénylate cyclase. De plus, dbcAMP a restauré la production augmentée d'anion superoxyde (O2-), l'activité de la NAD(P)H oxydase et l’expression accrue des protéines Nox 4 et p47phox observée dans les CMLV de SHR jusqu’au niveau contrôle. Par ailleurs, la phosphorylation accrue des PDGF-R, EGF-R, c-Src et ERK1/2 énoncée par les CMLV de SHR a également été diminuée par le dbcAMP d'une manière dépendante de concentration. Ces résultats suggèrent que le niveau réduit d'AMPc intracellulaire montré par les CMLV de SHR contribue à l'expression accrue des protéines Gi et à l’hyperprolifération cellulaire à travers l’augmentation du stress oxydatif, la transactivation des EGF-R, PDGF-R et la voie de signalisation des MAP kinases. / We have previously shown that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibit enhanced expression of inhibitory G proteins (Gi) and enhanced cell proliferation as compared to VSMC from Wystar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The levels of cAMP were shown to be decreased in VSMC from SHR. The present study was therefore undertaken to examine the contribution of the decreased intracellular level of cAMP in the enhanced expression of Gi proteins and increased proliferation of VSMC from SHR and to further explore the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for this response. VSMC from SHR showed an enhanced expression of Giα-2 and Giα-3 as compared to VSMC from WKY which was decreased in a dose-dependent manner by dbcAMP, a cell-permeable cAMP analog. In addition, the enhanced functions of Gi proteins as demonstrated by enhanced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by inhibitory hormones and forskolin (FSK)-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by low concentration of GTPγS in VSMC from SHR were also restored to the WKY levels by dbcAMP. The enhanced proliferation of VSMC exhibited by SHR was also attenuated by dbcAMP and forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase. In addition, dbcAMP also restored the increased production of superoxide anion (O2-), NAD(P)H oxidase activity and enhanced expression of Nox 4 and p47phox proteins observed in VSMC from SHR to control levels. Furthermore, the increased phosphorylation of PDGF-R, EGF-R, c-Src and ERK1/2 exhibited by VSMC from SHR were also decreased by dbcAMP in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that decreased levels of intracellular cAMP exhibited by VSMC from SHR contributes to the enhanced expression of Gi proteins and hyperproliferation through increasing oxidative stress and transactivation of EGF-R, PDGF-R and MAP kinase signaling pathway.

This Master’s level research project investigates how gender shapes the resettlement challenges that liberian refugees have faced in Nova Scotia. The study investigates the impact of the reframing of gender relations during resettlement processes in both material and symbolic domains of life in Halifax. While male Liberian refugees are found to have a comparative advantage over their female counterparts, due in large part to the priority given to educating young men in rural Liberia, they also have higher expectations of education and employment once settled. Women seem to benefit symbolically if not materially from the reframing of gender relations in Canada, as compared to Liberia.

The present thesis focuses on the representations of gays in Czech and Slovak contemporary theater plays. Its aim is to analyze the queer and campy aspects of the representations of gays in the mainstream plays and uncover the principles of creation of the gay character in the structure of dramatic Arts. The results of analysis explain the integrative mode of representation of gays in Czech and Slovak contemporary plays.

The diploma thesis deals with interdisciplinary teaching and learning approaches at the level of a planned curriculum. The theoretical part is devoted to the issues of interdisciplinary teaching and learning approaches, description of school-age children and game-based learning. It includes the concepts of integration in teaching, numeracy, instructor, learning, motivation and game-based learning. There is also mentioned the Framework Educational Program for Primary Education, key competencies and its selected educational areas. The practical part contains a set of activities that integrate interdisciplinary teaching and learning. For each activity there is a description of its realization from the point of view of the author of the diploma thesis.

Text in German, with German and English summaries / As a regionally-led church-body the German Seventh-day Adventist church (SDA) has nonetheless the unanimously agreed goal of spreading the gospel in the whole republic. The different regional administrative bodies however, have not consistently or nationally documented their evangelistic efforts. It is therefore the aim of this study to understand the theology of SDA mission between 1992 and 2005. Commencing in 1875, with the first overseas missionary's arrival, the mission theology of the German SDA-Church will be roughly sketched through 1990. The following enquiry deals primarily with the various levels of SDA-leadership, with Adventist print media, institutional work and special mission-conceived events. Generally, statements concerning missiology will be studied with regard to their content and meaning. In particular cases quantitative data will be considered and evaluated. This will lead to fundamental data, apt to answer the following questions: - How do Adventists define the term mission? - Do German Adventists dispose of missionary concepts or an overarching mission strategy? - Do they take up the challenge of self-reflection concerning their mission in order to enhance success? The individual objects and questions studied in this thesis are structured to be evaluated at the end of each chapter. Questions raised will be attempted to be answered satisfactorily. The result of this study is the unveiling of several strengths and weaknesses of the Adventist understanding of mission in Germany. It is therefore the goal of this study to enhance further discussion by pointing to relevant facts. Initial starting points could be seen in the conclusions drawn, thereby rendering mission efforts of the German SDA church more effective. / Die Freikirche der Siebenten-Tags-Adventisten in Deutschland ist keine zentral gefuhrte Kirche. Sie hat aber das ubergreifende Ziel den eigenen Glauben in der ganzen Republik zu verkundigen. Verwaltungstechnisch gliedert sie sich in verschiedene Bereiche und Ebenen, die allerdings keine einheitliche Dokumentation ihres missionarischen Engagements vorhalten. Forschungsgegenstand dieser Arbeit ist deshalb das missionstheologische Verstandnis der Siebenten-Tags-Adventisten (STA) in der Zeit zwischen 1992 mid 2005. Ausgehend von 1875, dem Jahr der Arbeitsaufhahme adventistischer Missionare in Deutschland, wird das Missionsverstandnis der deutschen STA uberblickartig bis ins Jahr 1990 skizziert. Die sich anschlieBende Untersuchung befasst sich mit den verschiedenen Leitungsebenen der STA, mit den adventistischen Printmedien und Institutionen sowie am Thema Mission ausgerichteten konzeptionell arbeitenden Sonderveranstaltungen. Im Einzelnen werden die jeweiligen Aussagen zur Mission auf ihre inhaltliche Ausuchtung und Bedeutung hin untersucht, in ausgewahlten Fallen werden auch quantitative Daten einbezogen und ausgewertet. Dadurch entsteht ein grundlegender Datensatz, der es erlaubt, nachstehende Frage zu beantworten: Wie verstehen die STA den Begriff Mission? Verfugen die STA in Deutschland uber missionarische Konzepte oder eine ubergreifende Missionsstrategie? - Stellen sich die STA der Aufgabe der Selbstreflexion, um ihre Missionsanstrengungen zu verbessern? Die vorliegende Arbeit ist so angelegt, dass die jeweiligen Untersuchungsebenen und -gegenstande am Ende des entsprechenden Kapitels einer Beweitung unterzogen werden, sodass die aufgeworfenen Fragen gesichert beantwortet werden konnen. Als Ergebnis der Untersuchung zeigen sich Starken und Schwachen des adventistischen Umgangs mit dem Thema Mission in Deutschland. Ziel dieser Albeit ist es deshalb, durch Benennung von Fakten zu einer weiterfuhrenden Diskussion anzuregen. Erste Ansatzpunkte dafur sind in den sich ergebenden Sclussfolgerungen zu sehen, die darauf abzielen, das missionarische Engagement der Freikirche effizienter zu gestalten. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Poverty is a global concern and the implementation of a quality early childhood development (ECD) programme is one of the most powerful ways of breaking the poverty cycle. Although research has been done regarding ECD centres in impoverished, marginalised and predominantly black communities (informal settlements), there is little, if any, similar research regarding predominantly white settlements. The purpose of this narrative study is to explore and understand the experiences of ECD practitioners regarding their work in impoverished and marginalised predominantly white communities. I, therefore, conducted this study from a social constructivist paradigm. The participants constructed their realities based on their lived experiences and interaction with others. The experiences of the participants were also influenced by their entire ecological system – their everyday experiences in their work and lives, as well as more distal influences for example South-Africa’s socio-political dispensation and cultural influences. Consequently the study was framed within the Ecological Systems Theory of Bronfenbrenner. I collected data through narrative interviews with two participants (ECD practitioners), and through field notes from observations, documents, photographs and artefacts. From the coded data, four main themes emerged – social and personal experiences, experiences concerning place, experiences with camp leadership and experiences concerning support infrastructure. These themes will be useful to determine the kind of support that practitioners need to ensure the quality of ECD programmes to support the optimal development of the children. / Armoede is ʼn globale probleem en kwaliteit kleinkinderontwikkelingsprogramme (KKO-programme) is een van die kragtigste maniere om die armoede-siklus te verbreek. Alhoewel daar navorsing omtrent KKO-sentra in verarmde en gemarginaliseerde oorwegend swart gemeenskappe (informele nedersettings) gedoen is bestaan daar min, indien enige, soortgelyke navorsing in oorwegend blanke nedersettings. Die doel van hierdie narratiewe studie is om die ervarings van KKOpraktisyns in hulle werk in verarmde en gemarginaliseerde oorwegend blanke nedersettings te ondersoek en te verstaan. Daarom het ek hierdie studie vanuit ‘n sosiaal-konstruktivistiese paradigma uitgevoer. Die deelnemers het hulle realiteite geskep gebaseer op hulle geleefde ervarings en interaksies met ander. Die ervarings van die deelnemers is ook beïnvloed deur hulle hele ekostelsel – hulle daaglikse ervarings in hulle werk en lewens, asook verwyderde stelsels van invloed soos Suid-Afrika se sosio-politieke bedeling en kulturele invloede. Gevolglik is hierdie studie geformuleer binne die Ekologiese Sisteemteorie van Bronfenbrenner as raamwerk. Ek het data versamel deur narratiewe onderhoude te voer met twee deelnemers (KKO-praktisyns), en deur veldnotas van waarnemings, dokumente, foto’s en artefakte. Uit die gekodeerde data het vier hooftemas navore gekom – sosiale en persoonlike ervarings, ervarings met betrekking tot plek, ervarings met kampleierskap en ervarings rakende ondersteuningsinfrastruktuur. Hierdie temas sal bruikbaar wees om die soort ondersteuning te bepaal wat praktisyns benodig om ʼn kwaliteit KKOprogram te verseker om sodoende die optimale ontwikkeling van die kinders te ondersteun. / Early Childhood Education / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)