Twenty four early childhood development centres in Ward 75 received personal protective equipment (PPE) from their ward councillor.
Councillor Joan Woodman said R50 000 had been set aside for the annual Concert in the Park. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the concert did not take place and the R50 000 was set aside for PPE for the educares in her ward, which includes Colorado Park, Morgans Village, Westgate, Wildwood, Rondevlei Park, Woodlands, Weltevreden Valley, Philippi, Highlands Village, Hyde Park, Westgate, New Woodlands and parts of Weltevreden Valley.
The ECD centres had had to reduce their number of children to comply with physical distancing, which impacted them financially.
Assistant professional officer for social development and ECDs, Juleiga Lakay was part of creating a hub for the ECD centres in Ward 75.
She said: “It was important to create this initiative as we needed to bring all ECDs in the ward together. They need to be informed on being registered so that they can receive the help they need. We need to help one another.”
When Karrimah Jacobs, the principal of Vision Kidz.com Educare in Colorado Park who was also involved in establishing the Ward 75 ECD hub, asked if any of their children had contracted Covid-19, the answer was “no” all round.
“Our parents had fear when the lockdown period started. Over time our parents are gaining confidence with us,” said Ms Jacobs.
Amanda Williams from Potter’s Kids Academy in Rondevlei Park said the PPEs were essential and they were grateful for the donation.
“We are thankful to be receiving this as there is a sensitivity towards our needs. We are crippled financially but this was a demonstration of kindness. We are more alert now more than ever with our children and staff. This is what we need.”
Lions Club Mitchell’s Plain, of which Ms Woodman is a member, also donated some food to the ECD centres.
Ricardo Mackenzie, the DA’s constituency head for Mitchell’s Plain, highlighted the importance of early childhood development, saying: “If we start there we should get the foundation right. The PPE will assist with helping children stay safe from the virus.”