Norwood’s CIB lead patroller changes her community one child at a time
Jackie van der Westhuizen wants to be remembered for making a positive impact on people's lives.
Norwood Community Policing Forum’s Caller In Blue (CIB) lead patroller, Jackie van der Westhuizen aims to make a positive impact in her community and be remembered for the social services she offers.
Van der Westhuizen worked as a police reservist at Norwood Police Station and then moved to the dog unit for 10 years and thoroughly enjoyed it.
“I am part of the CPF under CIB at Norwood Police Station and have been for two years. I am responsible for the entire Norwood outreach programme which entails attending to the homeless who do not have food, do not have clothes, and children who need help getting into schools.”
She added she decided to be part of the CPF’s programme because there was a need in the community and she wanted to be the person who made a difference.
“There are so many people who need help and there are not enough people in the community to offer those services. I want to be the person who makes a difference in people’s lives and be remembered for helping people.”
Van der Westhuizen said the challenges she faced included not having enough funds because her services required money. She added that was why she relied on the community to assist and donate clothes, non-perishable foods, and stationery.
The constant highlight in the work she does is helping people and describes it as rewarding, especially when she conducts wellness checks, provides food for families, and helps children get into schools.
“Another highlight is that the initiative helped to dress 160 teenagers from Northview High School for their matric dance and gave them a night to remember.”
Her plans in the next coming weeks and months include organising an Easter Egg hunt drive for underprivileged children in the community. Also, doing a Nelson Mandela charity drive by giving a local school a makeover and donating educational resources.
She highlighted that she and others were working on a school programme at Highlands North Boys High School to organise extracurricular activities after school. This would be in the form of sports, homework, and feeding schemes.
One of the projects that she finds most fulfilling is her school which caters for children from 18 months to 5 years old.
“I established my school 24 years ago which is a home away from home. I opened it due to noticing that more children required love and nurturing. It caters to children who are taught through games and playful activities.”
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