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ONE ACT OF RANDOM KINDNESS
- 9 December 2008
Words & pics by René
On Tuesday, 9 December, Paul and I visited Tina's Educare Centre in Capricorn Park, Vrygrond. This visit was prompted by an occassion held at Square Hill Primary recently, which Paul, along with Supie, Zoe, Rudi, and a few other bikers attended. It was through this event that the plight of Tina's Educare Centre came to our attention.
The facts
Tina's Educare Centre is a tiny nursery school in Vrygrond which is run by Cynthia Lewis. The school operates in a separate entrance on Cynthia's property, and accommodates 42 children between the ages of 2 and 6. What started off five and a half years ago as a means of getting a few children off the streets, educating them and keeping them in a safe environment while their parents worked or went looking for work, is now a community educare centre bursting at the seams. According to health regulations, for the size of the facility, forty two children is way over the limit.
As the current building does not comply with the standards of Social Development, and the Health Department, and due to a serious lack of funds, they simply cannot afford the necessary requirements to have their facility registered. Their main source of income is derived from fees which parents pay, if and when they can afford to. And some just cannot afford to pay at all. The money is used for food, and partially towards small salaries for the staff (i.e. Cynthia, two teachers, and a cook).
In order to give the children what they need, Tina's Educare has acquired a piece of land in the area that they are currently renting from their local community trust. With adequate financial support, Cynthia's goal is to build a proper structure on this site. This would ensure that space requirements (for educare specifically) are met, and will thus secure a government subsidy. The new centre will be known as Vrygrond Capricorn Children's Centre; it will be community-orientated towards future development and upliftment, but above all, it will cater to the needs of the children currently attending the school, and then providing an after-care facility for Grade R's. Funds, however, are still needed for building costs, educational equipment, as well as provision for kitchen and ablution facilities.
Christmas spirit
It was with this in mind, and in the spirit of the season, that Paul and I decided, one day last week, to visit Cynthia and the children - on the day of their end-of-year Christmas party. We took along a few party treats for them, like chips, marshmallows, biscuits, fruit and cooldrinks, (and some other bathroom essentials). Walking into a room full of children less privileged than most people will ever comprehend, carrier bags in hand laden with lekkergoed, and seeing those 42 little faces light up with excitement was incredibly heart-warming. I was barely inside when I had a tiny person attached to my leg, holding on for dear life!
"Antie! Antie, hello antie!", he shouted. I never knew that the mere sight of a few bags of Ghostpops could bring so much happiness to a child. Multiply that by 42, and that's when I realised that these poor children have so little, yet they have so much heart and character, they just want to be loved, and they just need to know that someone cares.
As one teacher plated up the sugary snacks, another summoned Paul and I to stay and join the party for a little while longer. We were then appointed to ice cream duty: I scooped and Paul distributed the cones. Let me tell you something, 42 is a lot of cones, man! And don’t take too long ... "Uncle, uncle, waa’s myne??" Paul was very busy. Within minutes, as an inevitable sugar-rush took effect, someone turned the music volume up, and the dancefloor was open, but one song later they were quickly back in their seats, to indulge some more in coconut marshmallows and biscuits. Such simple pleasures. And how they loved the camera! It went something like this ...
"Antie, antie, antie, vat ‘n foto van my oek!"
[Click].
"Ok let I see"
[Show them].
"Yooorrrr, kwaai jong, ha ha haaaa kyk hoe lyk djy!"
Classic!
On the whole, it was an experience that we will always remember. It was just such a great feeling going there, and spreading a little festive cheer. All it really takes to make a difference is one act of random kindness. It can make someone's day; it can change someone's life.
Think about how many lives the new Vrygrond Capricorn Children’s Centre could change. Then, ask yourself – "what can I do to make a difference?"
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