Child centre gets an upgrade
By Tabisa Mntengwana
24 August 2009
THE annual visit to Buffalo City by members of the Leiden Youth Brigade has been a full one, with a series of events that included a church service at Good News Church, a visit to the Metlife Mall, and a visit to the Amalinda/Mzonyana Floodplain.
During their three-week trip, the Dutch youngsters are also upgrading and refurbishing the King William's Town Youth and Child Care Centre. More than 100 orphaned and abandoned children live at the centre, most of whom are still at school. The centre helps with transport to school every day and with food.
According to the centre's co-ordinator, Heather Schriber, it takes care of children up to the age of 18. In most cases, the children are returned to their families or are placed with foster families within the community.
The Leiden Youth Brigade, from Buffalo's Dutch sister city of Leiden, first visited in 2006 to upgrade the Phand'ulwazi Life Centre, the skills training facility within the Youth and Child Care Centre. Since then, several more visits have taken place. On the current visit, they will tile, paint and clean the centre.
Youth brigade co-ordinator, Muriel Bosman, said: "Our youth are sent out to different but similar youth facilities to learn more about other cultures, independence, life skills and experience of South Africa."
The youth started their work at the centre at the beginning of the month. So far, they have tiled four rooms and the ablution areas. Speaking about the visit, the City's development co-operation and international relations manager, Darby Gounden, said: "The refurbishing of the centre is set to turn [it] into a vibrant, child-friendly environment."
She added that the youth brigades were established to give an opportunity to young people in Leiden to interact with the Buffalo City youth council on issues relating to youth development, as well as learn the highlights and challenges faced by youngsters in the two cities.
Floodplain
On the visit to the Amalinda/Mzonyana Floodplain on Wednesday, 19 August, ward councillor Mayenzeke Dinizulu gave a brief background of Duncan Village and the floodplain. "At least 300 Duncan Village families were affected and more than six people died during the floods in August 2002."
It now has a sports field, officially opened in November 2008, community gardens, gabions along the stream, and a new bridge, installed earlier this year. At least R1-million for the upgrades was donated by Leiden, with the aim of creating a conducive and habitable environment for people living along the river embankment.
Used as an illegal dumping ground in the past, the City is busy cleaning up the area.
The Leiden Youth Brigade also visited Nompumelelo Primary School in Duncan Village. The day ended with a visit to the Duncan Village Nursery and lunch was served at the East London Zoo.
The group will leave Buffalo City on Thursday, 27 August.
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