Additional activities are encouraged by Yomelelani to further the centre’s involvement in its local community.
Arts & Crafts and Sewing Lessons
An after-school class, staffed by volunteers, is offered from 3.00 to 5.00pm on one afternoon a week in the hall. Fifty children aged between nine and thirteen enjoy painting, drawing, traditional beadwork, and a range of crafts followed by sandwiches and a drink.
Karate
Karate classes for the boys are run five evenings a week by a Xhosa speaking instructor. The results have been amazing with high grades being achieved by many of the boys.
The Swop Shop
The Swop Shop held every Wednesday afternoon is a continuing success with up to ninety children of all ages participating. Children are encouraged to collect re-cycled materials in the township and to bring them to the Swop Shop. They are weighed and points awarded which may then be exchanged in the shop for pencils, toiletries, or even food. Every child is also rewarded with a sandwich and drink. At the end of each session a Local Authority vehicle collects the results of this activity and a small contribution from the re-cycling centre helps to stock the shop.
Blinkies
Two local ladies use the hall patiently to stitch 130 or more coloured buttons on to pairs of soft shoes. This started as an idea seen by John Cowen in other parts of the world. The photograph alongside illustrates the product. John’s promotional material stresses that this is a job creation project providing employment for the ladies involved.
