50km relay run against drugs and crime in schools
Twenty students will represent their schools and run 2,5 km each
A meeting was held between Luthemba Lethu Community Project (LLCP) and high schools around Kempton Park to discuss activities to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs and crime within schools.
Activities will take place during a drug and crime intervention week from February 23-28. These will include school outreaches, a Friday night rally and a treadmill run and fun day.
Representatives from Jeugland, Hoërskool Kempton Park, Norkem Park High School, Sir Pierre Van Ryneveld, Hoërskool Birchleigh, Maranatha Christian School and Rhodesfield Technical High School were present.
André Roodt, who is both a pastor and the founder of LLCP, said the correctional services department had been given a directive to conduct drug and crime awareness programmes within schools in South Africa.
“LLCP has been running rehabilitation programmes in various correctional facilities on the East Rand and is now joining hands with the correctional services department to assist schools in Kempton Park with an effective rehabilitation programme,” he said.
Through the programme, Roodt said 2 000 prisoners had been through rehabilitation training.
“We started the organisation eight years ago and have 50 volunteers as well as two full time staff members facilitating rehabilitation programmes within prisons on the East Rand,” he explained.
Roodt pointed out that because of the programmes’ success in prisons, they were now focusing on schools.
“Drugs are a serious concern within schools. We want to stop children from falling into crime and drugs as prevention is better than cure.”
With the new partnership between LLCP and Kempton Park schools, students expelled because of drug use will be fit into the rehabilitation programme.
During the meeting, Roodt presented materials to the schools that will be used to rehabilitate learners. Preparation is also underway for the drug and crime intervention week.
The week will consist of three phases, including a school outreach programme where LLCP will go from school to school and children will be addressed and given an opportunity to raise the challenges they are faced with concerning drugs and crime.
Reformed inmates will also give testimonies on their journeys and there will be a guest speaker.
On Friday, February 28, a rally will be held at Maranatha Community Church where ex-inmates will give testimonies, with a live band entertainment and a guest speaker.
The following day, a treadmill run and fun day will be held on the rugby field at Maranatha to raise funds for a halfway house LLCP is starting to support East Rand prisons.
“Schools have been encouraged to get involved in various fundraising initiatives for drug rehab programmes in their schools during that week,” said Roodt.
Twenty learners, 10 girls and 10 boys, will run the 50km relay treadmill run on the day where each pupil will do 2,5km, all in the name of drug awareness. Resident Michael Rautenbach will run 100km on the treadmill.
Entry to the event is free. There will be jumping castles, live band, pony rides and flea market.
Stalls are still available for the day and those interested can call Runa Schulz on 083-218-9625. Those interested in becoming volunteers in the LLCP projects may also call Schulz.
