MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The eViwe Community Centre, based at the KwaNonqaba Beehive, has plans in the pipeline for expanding and diversifying.
Principal of the centre, Bongani Swartbooi, said he hoped to be able to hire out the upper floor of the centre for board meetings to bring in funds to help with sustaining the facility.
He said the long-term plan was to relocate the toy library at the centre to a school in KwaNonqaba, where it would still be run by eViwe. This would help to free up some space for other activities at the centre, because space was limited.
Entrepreneurial toys
Bongani said there was a need for entrepreneurial toys which would help prepare children for careers. There was also a need for a boardroom table which could be assembled and dissembled for the purpose of hiring out the upper floor for board meetings.
Another requirement was proper desks where the children who used the centre as an aftercare, could work. Right now they are using makeshift tables.
Bongani said many of the children were at the centre for long periods and it would be beneficial if the centre could provide food. There was a facility alongside the centre, where this could be done, he said.
He is hoping a benefactor will provide multimedia and video conferencing facilities. The centre screens videos for the children.
Bongani Swartbooi in the toy library with the eViwe Centre staff and two of the children who come to the centre.
Bongani said there were plans to replicate the eViwe centre in other towns in the Southern Cape. A learning partnership with Africa Skills Village Training and Management Services was to start, he said.
Driving test simulator
The centre aims to offer a driving test simulator to help people obtain their driver's licences.
"We assist Grade Rs right through to 35 year olds," explained Bongani. Besides the toy library, aftercare and planned driver training, the centre will offer computer training and assist with training "through SETA-accredited practical artisan courses, professional career guidance and entrepreneurship courses".
With the expansion of learning services at the centre, Bongani hopes to employ skilled personnel who will do the training. Some of the children who come to the centre have difficult circumstances, so a social worker and psychologist were also necessary, he said.
The eViwe Community Centre, based at the KwaNonqaba Beehive, has plans in the pipeline for expanding and diversifying.
The centre offers assistance to Grade 11 and 12 learners in maths and science. eViwe recently received a donation of R371,720 from Eskom towards the installation of a server and 16 desktop computers.
This funding also provided for the purchasing of Grade 10 to 12 maths and science handbooks, additional educational toys, computer software and office and training equipment.
Donation
Bongani said: "The executive board committee of eViwe is extremely grateful to Eskom and the Eskom Foundation board and senior management for making a huge decision to support the eViwe toy library, after school care and computer centre.
An office area.
"The donation of a computer laboratory, maths and science books and toys is making a huge difference to the little ones and the youth of KwaNonqaba.
"This donation plays a major role in supporting the vision and mission of our organisation of building a solid foundation and career path for members of the local community."
Glasfit, IT 4 U, PetroSA and Transnet have also made substantial donations to the centre to enhance the experience of the children who use the facilities every day. Bongani and the staff are extremely grateful for these.
If you would like to contribute to the centre in any way, contact Bongani (071 003 0101).
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