Proud Community Youth Development attracts children

The project, started by Mrs Faradiba Morton, from Proud Community Youth Development, creates an environment for children where they can learn valuable life skills through writing, reading and interacting with each other.

A total of 12 new children joined the group, which meets at the Rhodes Park Library, on May 10.

“The class is growing rapidly and we appreciate all the new visits from the surrounding residents, as well as our new guests,” said Mrs Morton.

Historian and writer, Ms Luli Callinicos, attended with her grandsons Nicholas and Marcus Webster. Also in attendance were Khehla Chepape Makgato from the Rhodes Park Youth Book Club, Promise, Ashton and Sammy from Khanya College, Mmakgari Dabutha, a poet, Dr Maria van Driel, the director of the Jozi Book Fair and Mr Oupa Lehulere, a director at Khanya College.

“They all had powerful messages for the young poets and the inspiration came through in the poems read by the children. We try to give them a parcel whenever we meet and therefore ask if the community has any donations of stationery, books, pencils, dictionaries or school bags, it would be appreciated. These children are determined to make it and therefore deserve all the encouragement they can get. I will soon publish my poetry manual and these children are living proof that we should never give up on any child. Hope comes in many ways,” said Mrs Morton.

In support of the project, the EXPRESS publishes poems written by the children once a month under Poetry Empowers.

For more information on the project, contact Mrs Morton on 074 330 1587.

Below are some of the poems.

About Me

By Prince Phiri (11)

I am a boy and I am a child, my name is Prince Phiri who is eleven years old

I have black eyes and brown hair, and I love school

Education is the equation, this is important cause it is what I want

My favourite sports are soccer even though I love chess too

What do you want to be I ask myself sometimes

Maybe a poet, it has become so important to me

It encourages me to stay away from drugs and alcohol

Poetry is my better choice, it is my chance it is my choice

Red

By Seychelle Tsakasa (8)

Red is the colour of a flower

Red is my favourite colour

Red is the colour of my heart

Red is the colour I love

Red is the colour of my cap

Red is the colour of my blood

Red is the colour of my shoes

Red is the colour of my gloves

Red is the colour of strawberries

Red is the colour of my shorts

Red is the colour of my scarf

Me

By Salim Shiphamelo (10)

Who is this? It is Salim

I have a body, two lungs and a great heart

I am only 10 years old I am proud I can write

I am a star and I play soccer

I love God, He will help me be a future leader

My name is Salim, I am proud and I am a boy

Pink

By Promise Booysens (13)

Pink is the colour that I like

Pink is my colour I choose

Pink is the colour I can wear

Pink is the colour of my necklace

Pink is the colour of my pants

Pink is the colour of my flowers

Pink is the colour of my book

Pink is the colour of my watch

Pink is the colour of my favourite blanket

Pink is the colour of my pillow

Pink is the colour of my dress

Red

By Omphile Koma (10)

Red is the colour of tasty apples

Red is the blood of people who die

We must try to save the souls of Africa

Red is one colour on our South African flag

Red is really my favourite colour

Red makes me look proud

Red is part of the rainbow

Red is love

Pink

By Dearshney Mukwevho (11)

Pink is like the colour in the sun

Pink makes me wanna have fun

Pink sometimes makes me feel sad

Pink makes me very mad

Pink smells like sour brandy

Pink tastes like sweet love candy

Pink sounds like an old clock

Pink looks like a springbok

Pink feels like the autumn spring

Pink makes me wanna sing

Pink is the best colour in the world

And I love it!