Cape Town - Good Samaritans have donated toys to children from informal settlements to motivate them and keep them safe.
Benefiting areas include Philippi, New Horizons, Lotus River and Ottery.
Through a partnership with local retailers, Keith Blake donated chess, dominoes, dolls, colouring books and crayons to activists working with children in these areas.
“We wanted to reach a wider community and for the toys to be shared, and not just benefit a few. The carers we handed them to have a responsibility to monitor and keep them safe.
“There’s so much need for interventions in these communities and every little help goes a long way. The faces of those angels just lit up when they saw the donation and it’s a priceless expression. Thank you to the donors,” Blake said.
Erica Baatjes, who runs The Need To Eat soup kitchen at Know Park informal settlement and has an after-school programme for children between 6 and 14 years old, said: “The games are in my care where the children can come fetch it after school and on weekends. Each sign for the toys they borrow, and there’s a penalty for not returning it. This is to teach them responsibility and to take pride in what’s offered to them. They enjoy the process and have learnt the formalities.”
The children were jubilant over their newly sponsored toys. Oliver Witbooi, 9, from Philippi, said he was happy and enjoyed chess the most.
“We used to play in the streets with balls we made from the bags, but now we have something different, it’s so cool. I always look forward to coming to aunty Erica’s place after school and mommy doesn’t worry where I am any more.”
Pastor Paul Phillips, who is responsible for the Oribi Street youth in Lotus River, said: “Persons from previously disadvantaged communities are rooted in very deep underlying issues and challenges. Community leaders such as Mr Blake who support, provide and speak to our youth, make the task of community activists so much lighter. We want to convey to our youth and kids that they don’t need to be the victim of their circumstances, that they have the support and helping hands to lift them above where they are and must not be shy to ask in times of need.”