By Nangamso Mabindla
1 February 2007

EQUIPMENT earmarked for community one-stop centres being set up to care for the needs of children, families and communities affected by HIV and Aids, arrived in East London earlier this week.

The three centres – one in Gompo, one in Mdantsane and one in King William's Town – are funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). However, the new equipment is funded by Buffalo City's Netherlands twin municipality, the City of Leiden. They are not yet in operation.

They are the result of a study conducted by the provincial department of social development which found that many of the area's children lived in conditions that prevented them from attaining their full potential. Many were orphaned or vulnerable after losing parents or relatives to HIV/Aids.

With the arrival of the equipment, the centres have become a reality. Leiden's Muriel Bosman said that she was excited the shipment had finally arrived. "It was shipped from the Netherlands in December and we have been waiting in anticipation for its arrival; now that it's here we really are excited and can't wait to put [all of it] to use."

There are 350 computers, 40 bicycles and items of furniture from the citizens of Leiden. "Some of [the equipment] will be lent to children from rural areas to use at school," Bosman said. "These schools will conduct workshops aimed at teaching children how to maintain the bicycles.

"I am happy that the people of Leiden and our municipality listened to our call and sent this equipment to South Africa," she said.