Who’d steal from children?

NELLIE MCHUNU is visibly upset. She is the manager of the Sesikhono Crèche at the Mooiplaas informal settlement south of Vryheid, and the crèche was burgled over the weekend.

The container that serves as a kitchen was broken into and the thieves stole all the pots and pans, the larger kettle, and virtually all the foods – frozen, dry goods, breakfast porridge and apples.

The crèche is supported by Vryheid Child Welfare and the Department of Social Development, but is nevertheless cash-strapped, and relies on the goodwill of the community and businesses in Vryheid.

And 51 children rely on that food. The children come from Mooiplaas and from the nearby New Lakeside (Bhekuzulu 6B) low-cost housing area. For some, the food the crèche provides is their meal of the day.

Nellie Mchunu describes the crèche as “a light for the community”, and cannot hide her sadness at the burglary and theft of the foods. She says she cried all Monday when the theft was discovered. “They’re taking food from their own kids. How can they do this? I’m so disappointed,” she says.

For now the crèche is continuing to provide its children with breakfast and a midday meal using borrowed pots. But it desperately needs to have its own pots replaced, and its kettle and frying pan, and they need to be large ones. And the crèche’s store of foods needs to be replenished.

If you can help Sesikhono Crèche in any way, please contact Carol at Vryheid Child Welfare in Landdrost Street, just above Shoprite, or phone 034 982 1197/8.