After 20 years the World Vision field office has closed in Atlantis.
The international Christian development, relief and advocacy organisation is dedicated to helping to bring fulfilment to children, their families and communities.
As part of their final farewell to the community of Atlantis the organisation, which operates in nearly 100 countries, distributed 164 educational kits to kids through its Atlantis area programme on Tuesday 1 September.
These were distributed among children between 0-9 years old in Atlantis and surrounding areas, who formed part of the programme.
World Vision says as children were at home for most of the lockdown and some early childhood development centers (ECD) have not reopened, the 0-9 year group was identified as one of the most vulnerable groups.
Oslynn Benson, area programme coordinator, says donors have put a birthday bounce back (the kits) together on a yearly basis for the children, which aims to celebrate each child and encourage their sense of self-worth.
World Vision works in communities for 15 years, during which they are encouraged to take ownership of the projects, following which the community is believed to be self-sustainable.
“Due to the many challenges faced by children in the community of Atlantis and surrounding areas the lifespan of the Atlantis office was extended with five years,” said Benson.
Although they initially planned to have a farewell celebration with the children this year, Covid-19 put a damper on these plans.
Benson thanked the parents and children for their support over many years, while ECD owner and practitioner Melanie Andrews demonstrated to parents how best to use the kits and the variety of ways in which it can be used.
“We have built lasting relationships with community and faith based organisations as well as government structures and the community to ensure the work put into the Atlantis community over the last 20 years, will be sustained.
