By Nangamso Mabindla
15 August 2008

THREE weeks of hard work at the Phand’ulwazi Children’s Home in King William’s Town by the Leiden Youth Brigade has transformed one of the centre’s units into a beautiful place the children can call home.

For the past three years, groups of young Dutch people - members of the Leiden Youth Brigade - have been visiting the centre and working on each of its units in an effort to make a difference in the lives of the children living there.

Before their visits began, the units were dilapidated and unattractive.

On Wednesday, 13 August, the latest unit to be transformed, Ubuntu, was unveiled to the delight of Phand’ulwazi’s children. Attending the launch were Buffalo City councillors Nonceba Xashe and Nomazizi Jakavula, the centre directors, city officials and members of the youth forum.

Jakavula said their partnership with Leiden was one that bore fruit. ”These wonderful young ladies and gentlemen have done a wonderful job. This is a challenge to those left behind - the municipality, its leaders and the management of the centre - to make sure we take care of this facility.”

She urged local youngsters to try to emulate the Dutch visitors and make a difference in their own communities.

Mark van der Vakte, one of the visitors, was happy he had been part of the experience. “I saw many things in South Africa and I noticed that it’s a beautiful country; but there are people affected by poverty. There’s a lot to do; but I’m happy with the little that I could offer for the children here at Phand’ulwazi.”

Nomsa Mandoyi, the director of the centre, said that by coming to South Africa to help, the Leiden Youth Brigade showed the spirit of ubuntu.

“I want to thank the Leiden group for their effort. They should never think that they did something small; this is very big thing to us. We are all learning from you.”

The Ubuntu unit now has a beautiful kitchen and lounge, and beautiful bedrooms.