By Nangamso Mabindla
13 August 2007

THE Leiden Work Youth Brigade is back to give a facelift to one of the units at the Phand'ulwazi Care Centre in King William's Town.

The group of 16 youngsters from the Dutch town of Leiden, Buffalo City's Dutch twin municipality, will be working at the centre for three weeks. A team from the youth group first came in 2006 as part of the celebrations of the 10-year anniversary of the twinning partnership.

They worked on one of the four units at the centre, transforming it from its dilapidated state into a home of which the orphans of Phand'ulwazi could be proud. The unit was fitted with a new carpet, colourful walls, new beds and a renovated kitchen.

This year's group has a technical background and it will work on a different unit. Aware of the value of the wisdom of the elderly, the Youth Brigade has brought along some senior citizens to help get the work done.

Jan Otto, one of the organisers, said that some of youngsters studied at the universities and vocational schools of Leiden. Some had an electrical engineering background, woodwork and other technical skills.

"We also have two teachers accompanying us so that the work done here is top class. We also have students from the local Further Education and Training College working with our Youth Brigade."

On Friday, 11 August the group was already hard at work at Phand'ulwazi. "We want to [expand] the living room here, move the kitchen and try to make a library for the children to use. We have divided the youth into teams with team leaders - we want to do a very good job here at Phand'ulwazi," Otto added.

Talking about the benefits of sending these European students to Buffalo City, Otto said that each would make a presentation to companies in Holland to raise sponsorship for next year's group.

"Last year's group made presentations to businesses in Holland and the response was very good; we were able to bring a group this year. Many youngsters were enthusiastic about coming here but we could only bring 16."

It won't be all hard work, however, and the visitors will get to see some of the best attractions the country has to offer, such as Addo Elephant Park.

"But it will all depend on whether we meet our targets - at this stage I can safely say that we are bang on target," Otto said.