Angel Community Outreach (ACO), in collaboration with Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies and the International Women’s Peace Group, launched the first peace garden in Richard Crescent, Valhalla Park, on Heritage Day.

Angel Community Outreach is an NPO for children and youth in Valhalla Park which runs free aftercare, sports for kids, reading clubs, gender-based violence and mental health support for women, parent support programmes, and a soup kitchen.

“Our impact includes providing solutions for unemployed youth, strengthening family bonds between mothers and kids, and running reading clubs to help kids read,” says Shahieda Martin, chairperson of ACO.

Walking ladies

The Heritage Day event kicked off with speeches from the police and Men Stand Tall, followed by dancers from the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies and the United Reformed Church Sunday School.

A moment of silence was observed and a peace candle was lit to honour the lives lost in the community. Seeds of peace were then planted in the garden, after which everyone present helped clean the area.

According to Martin, the day was meant to build bridges between communities and spreading the culture of peace. They also thanked the community for its continued support.