Holiday Programme
Co-Ordinator: Ms S. Rule
Children are most vulnerable during the school holidays; most are left alone or without proper adult care. They wonder the streets and often get up to mischief. In an attempt to prevent this, CAFDA runs a Holiday Programme providing meaningful activities and a nutritious meal, often the only one they have for the day.
Our Holiday Programme attracted an average of eighty children each day from the surrounding areas of CAFDA Village, Lavender Hill, Steenberg and Sea Winds. The children arrived very excited, although a fee of R1-00 a day was charged, we did not turn those away who could not pay.
The attendance number increased everyday. Co-ordinators along with a dedicated group of volunteers embarked on a very successful programme of games, fun, dance and various other activities. The Holiday Programme culminated in a huge Christmas party. Over one hundred children joined in the celebration.
It was heart-warming to observe how a few introverts became outspoken and happy. After each day the children would ask what the next day’s programme would be. One teenager arrived on the first day withdrawn and shy. The co-ordinator noticed this and subtly asked him to do little things; soon he was laughing and happy. All he needed was to “belong”. One of the parents called to say she had no trouble getting her two children to bed; they were tired and exited about the next day. Mr Europa, a former exco member remarked that the sound of children playing was like music to his ears.
As mentioned earlier the children received a snack and a meal at lunch time considering our financial constraints this was not easy. We are grateful to First National Bank, Grand West, Steel Engineering, Spur, Imam Gaseeb, the Noor family and Mrs. Samodien for donations in cash and kind.
We are in the process of getting more support from local business in the area as well as from the community; ensuring the success of The Holiday Programme for 2008.
For further information call Shireen Rule 021 706 2050
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