Fun and games for youth in Lotus River

Tug-of-war was part of a fun day held in Lotus River last week.

A non-profit organisation held a children’s fun day in Lotus River on Youth Day, Thursday June 16.

After a day of soccer, netball, tug-of-war, egg-and-spoon races and more, the children were served soup and bread and they left with party packets.

Shalom Community Care sold boerewors rolls and chips to raise money for the fun day at First Avenue Park, according to the non-profit organisation’s founder, Margo Johnson.

The organisation was started six years ago to help the needy in the community. Among other things, it donates food to the poor, arranges shelter for the homeless, helps the unemployed compile CVs, supplies nappies and toiletries to frail-care facilities, runs after-school programmes and distributes sanitary towels to teenage girls, according to Ms Johnson.

From left are Shalom Community Care volunteers Levina James, Rose Ann Presence, Julian Viljoen; Shalom founder, Margo Johnson; mayoral committee member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross; and Shalom volunteers Helen Jacobs, Junith Thomas and Jasmine Bridgens.

“Our organisation depends a lot on donations. Our greatest challenge is we need space for our organisation to serve our community. We also need our own transport to fetch stock/donations,” said Ms Johnson.

Mayoral committee member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross was at the event and told the children to never forget the sacrifices for freedom made on June 16, 1976.

“Never stop dreaming,” she said. “Our future leaders are in this group, with doctors, lawyers and even politicians. Your stand makes you accomplish things, your stand pushes you. Let’s not become a statistic, let’s show the world that you will be great.”

Ms Van der Ross told the youth that she grew up in Pearl Court, Lotus River, and then moved to Stephen Road and “today I am still in Lotus River because I believe we hold greatness”.

If you want to assist the organisation with donations, contact Ms Johnson at 061 586 2236.