OOSTERLAND Child and Youth Care Centre which is one of the Ironman 4 the Kidz’ yearly beneficiaries, is the proud recipient of a brand new Toyota Quantum minibus, thanks to the support offered by Dana Spicer Axle in Uitenhage.
Riaan Marais, director of Oosterland for the past 20 years said the centre provides residential care to 104 children.
According to him, they have been battling with transport issues as learners need to be transported to various schools in Despatch and Uitenhage.
“The arrival of the new Quantum minibus could not have come at a better time. We have 90 learners and only two Kombis. There always is a rush in the morning as each Kombi has to do two trips to transport the learners to their respective schools,” said Marais.
Gary Stephenson, trustee for Ironman 4 the Kidz said this year they raised R2.5 million for its 19 children’s beneficiaries of which 11 of the beneficiaries, including Oosterland, are in the Eastern Cape.
According to Stephenson, Oosterland indicated on a wish list that they needed a Quantum minibus to transport the centre’s children.
Ironman 4 the Kidz which has been operating since the start of Ironman 16 years ago, asked Dana Spicer Axle in Uitenhage whether they would be interested in sponsoring Oosterland.
Paul Myburgh, CEO of Dana Spicer Axle said they were pleased that they could make a difference to the lives of the children at Oosterland.
“It is important for us to put something back into the community. We would like to contribute more towards the centre soon,” Myburg said.
The centre which has been in operation for 39 years, places 14 to 15 children in a house in order to give each child the experience of a normal household. Each child is given daily chores and they must adhere to a strict routine.
“We don’t want children to see the centre as a children’s home, but as an investment towards their future. We want them to see the centre as a start of a new life despite all the hardships they faced before moving to Oosterland,” said Marais.
With a grateful heart he said the centre would be impossible to run without the help of sponsors and donors.
Marais further said the centre has other streams of income and is optimistic that they will be self-sustaining in the future.
Some of the services offered are catering, handmade bead work, vegetables which are grown at the centre’s vegetable tunnels and hiring tables, chairs and other goods to businesses.
