Creating a safe space for kids

AFTER losing 27 innocent lives to gang violence, Bonteheuwel residents took it upon themselves to help save the younger generation by hosting a variety of activities for the youth.

Earlier this month, the Vlamboom Yellowwood and Vyeboom Outreach took 115 children on a hike to Signal Hill, teaching them about safety, as well as the effects of substance abuse and violence.

Chairperson Edgar Fortuin said they had enough of violence and started the outreach in a bid to create a safe space and reduce crime.

“It was a nightmare and we couldn’t take it anymore. We do our utmost to protect our children and educate them against crime.

“We, together with parents of some of the victims, contribute towards the outreach in different ways. Every night we patrol and sit around a fire, guarding the streets until 10.30pm. Since then, there have been fewer robberies and deaths. We do get some shootings every now and then but not as bad as it used to be,” said Fortuin.

Organiser Shaheed Stein said: “Our message with the hike was to work in groups. We started out with sports in our immediate area and then invited all youths to participate from the four corners of the township, starting Sunday football games, also hosting movie nights and motivational talks.

“The strengthening of the mindset and development of our youth is the most important aspect of our conquest.”

Resident Carol Hendricks, who lost her son to gang violence in 2018, said the loss was so traumatic she had to take early retirement. When the outreach was established she started a soup kitchen, feeding hundreds of residents three times. She also joins the group on patrols.

“My idea is to prevent another child from falling victim to these crimes and to save another parent from experiencing that excruciating pain I felt when Marcellino was killed.

“We prioritise the young ones as we want them to have a brighter future, and for them to grow up knowing the consequences of their choices. They’re so happy at the hiking and came back with so many stories to tell,” Hendricks said.

Raesah Manuel, 13, had her first outing experience and was stunned by the paragliding. She thanked the outreach for “introducing us to a new things and keeping us safe. We learn a lot from them”.