Pair hope to build dream
Resident offers yard for day care, veggie garden
Sixty-six-year-old Parkridge resident, Muriel Van Wyk, has offered her large backyard to the community to build a day care centre and use parts of the land for planting vegetables.
The house has been in Van Wyk’s family for about 70 years and unfortunately, as the years have gone by, her age has made it more difficult for her to maintain the property.
Van Wyk has also previously struggled with neighbours and thugs wanting to take ownership of her land illegally.
Many visits to the police station have resulted in no action being taken.
“I think that if we make use of the land and do something that will benefit the community, these thugs will maybe leave us alone,” said Van Wyk.
Irene Joubert, a family friend of Van Wyk’s who also lives in the area, has availed herself to handle the day care centre project.
“I trust Irene because I know she wants to help the community and she will take care of the day care centre,” said Van Wyk. Joubert currently runs a soup kitchen that caters for members of the community .
“I am very happy to handle the day care centre project, because I believe it will be a safe haven for the children of our community,“Joubert said.
“There are many small children in the area running around in the streets, and these children are exposed to crime and drugs and we want to help keep them safe,” said Joubert.
The construction of the day care centre will require resources that Van Wyk and Joubert do not have.
“We will have to rely on sponsorships and donations to get this project going.
“We need building materials for the building of the centre, and materials that will assist us in running a day care centre.
“We are not asking for money, we will accept any help and support with this project.”