A GROUP of Dutch youngsters are back in town for three weeks, undertaking various tasks to improve the lives of the orphaned children at House on the Rock in East London.

Dutch youth visit Buffalo City each year to cheer up lonely children at various children's homes, where they make improvements.

In past years, they have been to King William's Town Youth and Child Care Centre, which they have refurbished and upgraded. This year, House on the Rock will have the same opportunity to have a new facility built by the visitors.

They are already working on the finishing touches at the new unit they are building for the 12 girls at the centre. To build the unit, the group converted a shed that was used for day care purposes into a facility that will cater for young girls.

House on the Rock provides shelter for 60 street children, abandoned children and children with HIV/Aids.

The annual visits have grown out of the relationship built between Buffalo City and the Dutch city of Leiden, which began in 1998. Over the years, this relationship has led to various projects such as learnerships, internships and study tours for both cities.

According to a municipal report, the partnership is also aimed at encouraging community spirit, strengthening local government and exchanging expertise. "The main focus of the partnership will be gender issues, health, education, housing and economic development."

It was through the partnership between the two cities that the Mzonyana Floodplain – previously called the Amalinda Floodplain – in Duncan Village was rehabilitated. In 2002, over 300 families were affected by flooding and six people died.

The floodplain was turned into a soccer field – opened in November 2008 – and recently a netball court was built.

Other projects include HIV/Aids initiatives, a solid waste programme and a storm water management initiative. The latter was launched in 2006 with the aim to clean streets and streams. It began with the management of water quality by cleaning up the storm water system and rehabilitating the land between floodlines.