Workshop looks at area’s problems

Various role players took part in the workshop.

Drugs, alcohol abuse and a high rate of school drop-outs are key problems facing the children of Fisantekraal and Klipheuwel.

The issues, among others, came up at workshop on the communities’ vulnerable children, held at the Fisantekraal community hall on Wednesday May 24.

It was run by the City’s social development and early childhood development directorate.

Fisantekraal and Klipheuwel residents were there along with City officials, student social workers and Badisa.

Adrian Seherrie, a student social worker who has worked in Fisantekraal for four months, said people struggled for basic services.

“Residents have to go to Bellville or Durbanville for services such as police or health. Most of the people in the area are unemployed and don’t have the money to do that,” he said.

Mr Seherrie said that instead of being in school many of Fisantekraal’s children could be found loitering on street corners.

Many in the community had no IDs or birth certificates and so couldn’t get jobs or be enrolled at a school or creche.

With the high number of children seen roaming the streets, social worker Jackie Beukes called on residents to consider opening their own creches in the area.

She, however, said it was very important that residents stay within the law – which allows for six children at an unregistered creche.

Ward 105 councillor Ruan Beneke said the City would run an eight-week family-strengthening workshop in January next year.

“When it comes to vulnerable children, I firmly believe the family is the first stop to address any issue. After attending the course, these families will also be required to be role-models and help other families in their immediate community,” he said.

Mr Beneke said it was fortunate that organisations such as Olympians Social Development, Mercy Aids, Balula Children, Urban/One Life and Badisa worked in the area

“Each organisation has their own area of expertise and contributes daily to the upliftment of children’s lives in the community,” he said.