Phase Three: Providing for and ensuring the ongoing maintenance and management of the playing field and equipment
Purpose and Intention
The Vermaaklikheid community faces challenges that confront most rural communities in the Southern Cape: poverty, inadequate school facilities and limited employment opportunities.
To compound these problems Vermaaklikheid is isolated and many children do not complete their schooling. In addition a lack of any facilities for our under 18 year-old residents contributes to alcohol and drug abuse and the petty crime to support these habits.
There are approximately 90 children under the age of 18.
Progress to Date
The Vermaaklikheid Winkel Project is a non-profit association formed by a number of residents within Vermaaklikheid. The founders’ intention is for the Vermaaklikheid Winkel Project to serve as an association that facilitates the social development of the local community of Vermaaklikheid. One of the first projects the concerned residents undertook was The Vermaaklikheid Sports Field Initiative. To date, phases one and two have been completed.
Phase one: Community Engagement and an Assessment – Completed
In 2018, a number of concerned residents attempted to address some of these problems by initiating a consultative process that culminated in a survey of the community to assess the current situation. The survey focussed its inquiry around an achievable goal: the establishment of a multi-use playing field and providing sports equipment for the children of the village. The survey was returned with unanimous support for the facility from 35 households.
Phase two: Providing a useable playing field and basic equipment – Completed
- Secured the land needed for the field.
- Cleared the land of highly invasive and resilient reed and other weeds.
- Raised funds from local land owners (approximately R60 000) and installed an irrigation system and access to a water supply.
- Supported the establishment of indigenous grass.
- Provided half-sized football goals for children and youth. Rugby pole extensions are to be added shortly in response to the community’s needs.
- Provided a weed-eater to cut the grass
We now have a GivenGain fund-raiser for phase 3 of the Vermaaklikheid sports field.
Now we want to buy a lawnmower and employ a grounds person to ensure that the sports field grounds are maintained. We’re aiming for R24 200, which should cover a year’s maintenance, plus the purchase of a lawnmower.
If you can, please contribute to this initiative? Link is below. https://www.givengain.com/cause/53768/campaigns/23058/
GivenGain provides a secure, online donation and fundraising platform to charities, donors and fundraisers. All funds raised go directly to this initiative.