The Local Network of Care and other city organisations ran a holiday programme for 200 children of Lavender Hill and surrounding areas at Community Faith Based Church in St Montague Village last week.
The children were divided into different age groups, from five to 16 years old for the activities, which took place from Monday July 10 to Friday July 14.
They received breakfast, lunch, snacks and resources including colouring books.
The Local Network of Care also has prevention programmes and besides the games and fun activities that took place, the children had the opportunity to speak about their daily struggles at home, their experiences at school and how the gang violence affects them.
The children now have a better understanding of the role of the police as Constable Luqmaan Adams explained that the SAPS are there to protect them.
He told children about different weapons and drugs and how harmful these are to the community.
Aysha Davids, one of the facilitators and trauma counsellors at the programme, arranged with social workers to speak to the children and their families.”The children in our community do not run away from the shootings, they run towards the shootings and that is why this programme was taking place, to keep the children safe for the few hours they spend with us. The way forward, as the programme comes to an end, is to continue helping these children with their challenges they are facing,” said Aysha.