For 120 children, Mandela Day this year will never be forgotten. Most of the toddlers had never been beyond the informal settlements that they live in, until Tuesday July 18, when they visited Imhoff farm and met real farm animals.
They were also treated to a puppet show, a wander through the maze, met camels and were then taken to St Joseph’s Catholic Church (Norbetines) for a hot meal of samp and beans: a massive treat that they chose over the option of chicken or fish.
Their outing was a collaboration between the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) in partnership with HOPE Africa and the Diocese of False Bay (Anglican
Church).
The children belong to the feeding programme at Siqalo Creche in Philippi and Aunty F’s Creche in Gugulethu. Siqalo Creche is on Sweet Home Farm, an informal settlement situated between Mitchell’s Plain and Philippi, where unemployment is common and poverty is rampant.
Frieda Andjene (known as Aunty F) transformed her garage in Gugulethu into a creche and employed two teachers and a cook.
The creches provide safety and nourishment to the vulnerable children. Many of these children’s parents and guardians are unemployed. The creches play a pivotal role by providing the children with essential play therapy, care, a place to rest; and two daily healthy cooked meals.
On Mandela Day, their cares were all lost in wonder – or their shrieks of absolute delight – as they met rabbits, pigs, cows, Emu’s, a pony and saw turkeys, ducks and chickens roaming free.
