By Tabisa Mntengwana
02 September 2009

A WOMEN’S Outreach Programme at Second Creek in East London rounded off Buffalo City’s Women’s Month.

On August 28, the women in the City’s health department took time out to educate the mothers in Second Creek on personal hygiene and pharmaceutical issues. The day’s activities were a continuation of a long and fruitful relationship that the department has with this community.

Recently, Buffalo City and the provincial department of public works donated two park homes to be used as a daycare centre for the children of Second Creek. Training for the teachers was also provided on what should be done to give good quality education.

This time around the department came bearing gifts for the women who run the centre and look after the children.

Sindiswa Gomba, the portfolio head for the Integrated Development Programme, budget, policy and performance, motivated the women, telling them to create opportunities from what the government was giving them.

“You might have missed out on education but do not deprive your children of it. Make the most of the support the municipality is giving you; grab it with both hands and make a change in your community,” she said.

“These may be the leaders of tomorrow - take pride in raising our future presidents and ministers,” she added, when giving advice to the teachers at the daycare centre.

Donated items included chairs and tables, toys, soap and hygiene posters to be used inside the classrooms.

The point of the outreach programme was to encourage women to develop one another and unite in building their community. The day ended with games and songs, while the children were also taught about cleanliness by City officials.

One of them, Peggy Mtengwane, spoke about the importance of washing hands. “Washing hands can prevent the spread of germs that can cause diarrhoea and flu.”

If children had clean hands they were promoting wellness and preventing the spread of dangerous germs, she explained.