Youngsters learn more about life

MALALANE – The Kidz Paradise learners welcomed their adopt a cop,

WO David Ndashi, with open arms and minds this week. He was truly excited to meet the youngsters and educate them on simple rules that could assist them in living a crime- and trouble-free life.

Principal Poonam Dwarkeram appreciated the officer’s enthusiasm as he informed them about stranger danger, road-crossing safety and advice on who to ask for help when abuse takes place in their homes or in their community. “When I was part of the detectives unit in KaMhlushwa a few years ago, I realised that most of the crimes which takes place daily was being committed by teenagers.

This was a cry for help from our youth and I heard it loud and clear. I left that division and now take part in educating the youth about their potential. A life of crime is not a life and these learners need to realise they have their whole lives ahead of them, making wrong choices could ruin all their dreams for the future,” Ndashi explained.

He asked simple questions like if it would feel good if one of your classmates took your pen or colouring crayons and never gave it back. The learners confidently replied that it would not feel good at all.

“In the same way it is wrong to take other people’s belongings. It is called stealing and you can be arrested for such an action.”

He then gave them a simple piece of advice that would keep them away from negative conflict, “Never gossip. It is important to focus on your own life and your actions, dreams and goals, and not on the people’s activities and choices.” He also added that communication could solve problems and that violence was never the answer.

The little Einsteins listened intently and wanted WO Ndashi to visit them soon for an arranged tour of the prison cells to see where bad people go.