SAVF reik uit na leerders en kleuters in die vakansie

Die SAVF het op 18 Maart ’n persverklaring uitgereik waarin die organisasie hulle kommer oor leerders na die uitbreking van die coronavirus uitgespreek.

Volgens die vrystelling, beroof die Covid 19-virus nou duisende kinders van hulle enigste bron van voedsel, terwyl die meeste Suid-Afrikaners rondhardloop om ‘n manier te vind om seker te maak skoolwerk raak nie agter nie.

Die aankondiging dat alle skole, insluitend kleuterskole, gesluit sal wees tot na die Paasnaweek, het hoewel geregverdig, het ’n krisis vir baie kinders, wat afhanklik is van die kos wat hulle by die skool ontvang, geskep.

Volgens die SAVF, ’n organisasie sonder winsoogmerk,is isolasie nie die veiligste opsie vir diegen in armer gemeenskappe nie.

Hulle bestuur 31 sentrums vir kleuters in van die armste gemeenskappe in die land, wat ’n toevlugsoord vir meer as 5 000 kinders bied.

“Die verlengde vakansie plaas geweldige druk op huishoudings,” het me. Lizelle Minnaar, bestuurder van SAVF Teletubbies-sentrum in Pretoria-Noord, gesê.

“Die prys van medisyne en basiese sanitasieprodukte het geweldig toegeneem, in sommige gevalle selfs verdubbel sedert die begin van die jaar.

“Dit maak dit basies onmoontlik vir ouers om hierdie kinders in ’n virus-bestande omgewing te hê, en daarom fokus ons daarop om hul immuunstelsel te versterk met gesonde kos en vitamiene.”

Die SAVF gaan die kinders, sowel as hul gesinne, van kospakkies voorsien om hulle te help om deur die verlengde vakansie te kom.

“Met die winter om die draai het ons warm klere en selfs ’n kombers nodig, byna net soveel as wat ons kruideniersware en vitamiene nodig het.”

Om betrokke te raak of klere, kos of vitamiene te skenk, skakel die SAVF-nasionale kantoor in Pretoria by 012 325 3920 of stuur ’n e-pos na nviljoen-toet@savf.co.za

English translation:

The SAVF issued a media release on 18 March, expressing their concern about learners after the outbreak of the corona-virus.

According to the statement, it now has left thousands of children without their primary source of food as the Covid-19 virus spreads

The announcement that all schools, including Early Child Development centres (ECD) will be closed until after Easter weekend. This decision, though warranted, has created a crisis for many children whose only meal is served at school.

According to the SAVF, a non-profit organisation, sending children home is far from the safest option for many in poorer communities.

They manage 31 ECD-centres around some of the poorest communities in the country, providing a haven for more than 5 000 children from infancy to Grade R.

“The extended holiday is putting immense strain on households,” Ms Lizelle Minnaar, manager at SAVF Teletubbies in Pretoria-North, said.

“The price of medicine and basic sanitation products have increased, in some cases doubled, since the beginning of the year.

“It is basically impossible to have these kids in an isolated environment, so all we can do is boost their immune system with healthy food and vitamins.”

Many of their centres will be providing the children, as well as their families, with food hampers to get through the extended holiday.

“With winter around the corner, we need warm clothing and even blankets as much as we need groceries and vitamins.”

To get involved or to donate clothing, food or vitamins, contact SAVF National Office in Pretoria at 012 325 3920 or send an e-mail to nviljoen-toet@savf.co.za