Early Christmas for Kromdraai
“Kromdraai has faced many challenges over the last few years and I believe these people deserve all the help I can possibly offer."
The children of Kromdraai will not be overlooked any more. A few months ago, Zillah Wehinger-Maguire, the DA councillor for Ward 39, launched a few projects to help the children of Kromdraai, and on Wednesday, 16 November one of the projects paid off.
Zillah, together with partners and sponsors donated at least 10 boxes of toys to the Kromdraai informal settlement’s toy library.
The children who benefit from the library nervously gathered around the playground and stared, over-awed and with wide eyes, at the colourful colouring books, play-dough and stationary.
The toy library gives disadvantaged children from the informal settlement the chance to play with a wide array of toys.
Eighty-six children are currently enrolled to play in this library. The children take turns to play for up to two hours at a time, before another group takes over. They are not able to take the toys home, but get to enjoy sharing them and playing together.
Berta Moralo, the principal of the Kromdraai Early Childhood Development (ECD) and helper at the toy library says she is humbled by the donation and believes these toys will make a substantial difference to the children’s abilities.
Photo: Jessica van Kerken.
“The finger-paints, dough and colouring books will help to develop the children’s motor skills and prepare them for primary school,” she said.
The toy library donations aren’t the only project Zillah and her team of sponsors tackled. Other projects aimed at Kromdraai include donating washable sanitarywear, desk bags and educational equipment for the ECD Centre, refurbishment of playground equipment, and planting a sustainable vegetable garden.
“Kromdraai has faced many challenges over the last few years and I believe these people deserve all the help I can possibly offer.”
Zillah said her main concern at the moment is the youth of the settlement.
Zillah Wihinger-Maguire, Ward 39’s councillor and Bertha Moralo, Principal of Kromdraai Toy Library.
Photo: Jessica van Kerken.
“They are our future and we must make sure that the cycle of poverty is not repeated. I have many great plans in the pipeline for these people.”
Since the start of the projects, Zillah has managed to get big brand names such as Mrs Africa, Bokashi Bran and Sasol Pinehaven involved. With the recent donation, Louise Niemann, Mrs Africa finalist, visited the site with Zillah to give hope to the residents of the area.
Bronwyn Jones from Bokashi Bran also visited the site to educate the community on recycling food waste into compost. With Bronwyn’s help, the dusty red sand will become arable and the vegetable harvests will double in the next few months.
“We are very grateful to all our donors who opened their hearts and pockets for this community and we are looking forward to working with them in the future, to start making Ward 39 a better place for all who reside there,” Zillah said.
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