Francesca Villette
CHILDREN in Manenberg have recently been spending their weekends cooking and baking as part of an initiative to keep them off the streets.
A Manenberg mother, who devised the plan to limit the children’s exposure to gangsterism and shootings which have claimed dozens of innocent lives, said she was satisfied by the way the youngsters have responded and bought into the idea of cooking their own meals.
Amelia September said an effort was needed to save a generation of young people.
September rallied a group of women under the banner “Taking Back our Children Campaign”, and together they are driving the idea of exposing the children, sometimes up to 200 at a time, to a different side of life.
The campaign has received support from several organisations offering to help with training women in identifying at-risk children, and offering children music and dance lessons.
September’s cooking initiative has attracted the support of parents of pupils at Michael Oak Waldorf School in Kenilworth, who donate vegetables to the project every week.
At a Big Walk the school hosted about two months ago, parents Yendor Adonis and Fiona Berrisford started speaking about how parents at the school could play a role in contributing to September’s idea.
Adonis also gives children music lessons every Thursday.
“Fiona and I chatted and we got to the point where we agreed to be active in helping,” said Adonis.
Berrisford added: “We have managed to get pledges from parents offering financial assistance that will last for at least six more months.
“We are in a position to help, so we should.”
September said all the efforts were to create a safe and nurturing environment for children.
“Society needs to take care of its children. Collectively, we are responsible for the way they grow up and what they are exposed to.”
To donate to the cooking project, contact Berrisford at fiona@clip clop.co.za
@FrancescaJaneV