Proud Community Youth Development attracts children
More children are attending a project currently being run at the Rhodes Park Library to express their views through poetry.
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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!