Revamped pool in Miriam Makeba Centre for Girls expected to help children in the neighbourhood
GLEN AUSTIN – Pax Divitiae spent Mandela Day doing their bit to contribute to the communities of Midrand and Mamelodi on July 18.
A local business dedicated their Mandela Day to contributing to the communities of Midrand and Mamelodi on July 18.
Pax Divitae unveiled the revamped pool at the Miriam Makeba Centre for Girls in Glen Austin and helped renovate the Hope Day Care and Pre-school in Mamelodi on the day.
Phakiso Mataitsane, founder of Pax Divitae and board member responsible for fundraising at the Makeba Centre for Girls, explained that they aim to have the pool operational by September. They hope to have the facilities around the pool working so they can start bringing children around the neighbourhood, particularly girls, to the facility to learn how to swim.
“We are asking for all the swimming schools around the area to give their time. Currently, we are busy with the final renovations inside the house, setting up the office, we are hoping to be finished by the end of August so that by the first of September we have the pool starting to work and we have the centre with the certifications that are needed to fully operate,” Mataitsane added.
He also pleaded for donations, adding that interested donors could visit the Miriam Makeba Centre for Girls website for more information.
Mataitsane added that in their efforts to form a strong bond with other communities, they have adopted another nursery in Mamelodi, which was started by Petunia Mashele in 2016. “She has 30 kids that are paying and she also has seven kids that are not paying because they are from the local community and the parents cannot afford to pay,” he said.
“We are going to invest in her along with other donors who have been able to support us in this journey. We will be donating mattresses and providing electricity installation which was funded by one of our donors who donated R10 000. We will also be installing a ceiling and painting the place, among other things.”
Petunia Mashele, founder of the Hope Day Care and Pre-school welcomed the Pax Divitiae members.
She said was very grateful to them as her children could now take naps in a warm space and develop holistically. “Our new play area and educational toys donated will develop the children in many ways especially since our environment is now safe and suitable for learning,” Mashele concluded.
Details: Miriam Makeba Centre for Girls www.miriammakeba.org; Pax Divitiae www.paxdivitiae.co.za
