SAFE PARK OPENS

Children get safe place to play

By Tabisa Mntengwana
26 November 2009

MORE than 300 children from Izele Village near King William’s Town will finally have a safe and inviting place to play with their friends.

A safe park was officially opened on Tuesday, 24 November at the Amantinde Isibindi Hall in Izele Village; the project came out of the sister city relationship between Buffalo City and the Dutch city of Leiden.

Together with the National Association of Childcare Workers, Buffalo City and Leiden built the park to provide a place for children to play in peace and safety, and where there is adult supervision.

Thandiwe Ntlombe, the Amantinde Isibindi supervisor, says the park is very important for children who are the heads of their households as it will give them a space where they won’t forget that they are still children. “The park offers kids the possibility of fun, which is an excellent tool to overcome hardship.”

Welcoming guests to the opening, Balisa Vena, the Isibindi project manager, said: “We are happy to have this gathering with you [Buffalo City and City of Leiden] and we are grateful for the park, which will play an important role in our children’s lives and in reclaiming traditional cultural activities.”

Presenting his keynote address, the deputy mayor of Leiden, Jan-Jaap de Haan, said: “Together with Buffalo City we are proud to give you something to help the vulnerable children, as we want the children to grow up and have a bright future.”

He pointed out that the safe park was also a place where the community gathered to support families and children affected by HIV and Aids, through Aids related programmes.

The safe park also has a life centre, where teens can deal with social issues that affect them and their peers, and strengthen each other. “The youth will also have group discussions on teenage pregnancies, substance abuse and HIV,” said De Haan.

Vena encouraged children to make the park their second home. “We are here to help you with anything, including homework, sport and other activities such as dance, music and public speaking.”

Ending the day, Heather Schreiber, from the King William’s Town Child and Youth Care Centre, said: “We have been supporting this initiative since its inception and we are happy to see such results.”