THERE was happiness on these children’s faces when they competed in the first ever winter games organised for their community.
The kids took part in the games held at Pimville Community Centre in Soweto to win medals and trophies.
The winter games was put together by a society called Pimville United Brothers and Sisters.
The society’s aim was to bring children together off the streets and have some fun.
Society secretary Tshepo Vana said kindness goes a long way.
“We want to show youths that societies are not just about death and mourning but can also uplift communities.”
The games organised 12 teams to play soccer, six for netball and four for basketball.
There were also had aerobics and a fun walk to make sure that there was an activity for everyone.
Tshepo wants the games to happen every year in winter.
The society members don’t only focus on youth upliftment but also arrange food parcels, clothes, burials and other help people need.
Another problem they focus on are undocumented people who cannot get birth certificates, IDs and other documents.
They work with the department of home affairs to find these people a place in the system.
“We want to show everyone out there that ubuntu only exists if they go out and make it happen.
“There is a poor township culture around funerals.
“If there’s a burial, strangers simply arrive to celebrate, not grieve.
The strangers don’t offer help or support but socialise while the family is mourning. If we visit a nearby funeral, we help them.”
“Paying it forward creates a wave of good deeds in the future. A simple act of kindness can affect a person in profound ways you could never imagine.”
The 35 members pay R210 each on the first Sunday of the month.
Of that, R100 is for refreshments and R10 pays the storage for equipment they rent out.
The last R100 is saved for burials.
