The children of the Sparendaam area will soon have a rehabilitated playfield to use, thanks to the Citizen Security Programme’s (CSP) Rapid Impact Project, which has also provided the community with new sports gear.
At a simple ceremony yesterday, the playfield was commissioned and the gears handed over by Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and Minister within the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill.
Work on the plot of land is incomplete. So far, it has been filled with some earth and a pavilion built. In its current state, it is unsafe for use.
Rohee, in brief remarks, said one of the objectives of the CPS is the creation of safe neighbourhoods. For this to happen, he said, there needs to be meaningful activities to engage young people.
He stated that the spot was identified for the establishment of a playfield, “which ought to be a place where young people can engage in various types of leisure or social activities.”
The minister noted that a safe neighbourhood is created as a result of the contributions, work and consciousness of the citizens in that particular community. “They have to come together and contribute to activities of this type, facilities of this type, to make it useful,” he said, adding that when the project is completed, the residents would ensure that it is regularly used.
Rosanne Purnwasie, CSP’s Community Action Specialist, said the rehabilitation is being done in two phases; the first phase being the building of the fence, pavilion and the revetment; and the second phase would see the land filling. She said bad weather had resulted in a delay of the second phase of the project.
Purnwasie also explained that the project falls within the community action component of the CSP. So far, there have been skills training for over 100 school dropouts, fun days and violence prevention sessions. She said Plaisance is only one of 10 communities that has benefited from this. She added that these steps are all interventions that allow young people to engage in meaningful activities.
Purnwasie urged the children who had gathered to ensure that they care the ground, once it is completed.
Rodwell Lewis, Chairperson of the Plaisance/Vryheid’s Lust Community Action Council, said the plot of land was initially set aside for a community centre. He said that it was a privilege and a joy that the community was selected to be a part of the CPS programme. He expressed hope that with the rehabilitation of the playfield, the children would be able to improve their skills in various sports.
