Teaching Children to create safer communities

Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) together with their partners Breede Valley Municipality (BVM)  Fire Services, Western Cape Education Department and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)  visited the Grade R class of Glen Heatlie AME Primary School in Worcester on the rainy Wednesday, 18 August.

CWDM through their Disaster Management department developed and printed posters focusing on Water-, Electricity- and Fire safety. The Grade R classes across the district will receive these posters in the applicable language. The Grade R learners have safety as part of their curriculum so thus these posters were designed as a teaching aide for teachers.

Ald Clara Meyer, Porfolio holder for Disaster Management at CWDM, explained the aim for this initiative, “We have had a number of drownings in the district, and it is our hope that by teaching children from a young age about water safety, we will create more ‘water’ wise communities. We want these young children to take the messages home and inform their parents or relatives about what they have learnt.”

As part of the handover, interactive and fun safety lessons, focusing on the dangers in their immediate environment was held by BVM Fire Services and the NSRI.  The learners participated in the safety lessons with much glee, learning the emergency number 112 and the Stop, drop and roll method amongst other safety tips and guides in case of an emergencies. 

“Thank you for spending your time, your knowledge and your resources with and on our little ones. These initiatives broaden their horizons and may literally safe their lives.” These were the grateful words from principal, Mr Aubrey Lawrence. The CWDM Disaster Management unit will be providing additional information sessions to the schools on request.

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Captions

Photo 1:

Here from left to right are Simoné Bantam (NSRI); Diana Niemand (WC Education Department); Natasha Stredders; Naola De Ruiters (Gr R Teachers); Aubrey Lawrence (Principle); Ald. Clara Meyer (Mayco: Disaster Management, CWDM); Cllr Juben Von Willingh (Executive Deputy Mayor, BVM); Shayma Fredericks (WC Education Department); Mariette Davids (Fire Services, BVM).

Photo 2:

Simoné Bantam (NSRI) with her stuffed animal friends, held the full attention on the Grade 1 class as she reminded the young ones, to always be safe around water.