Safe fun for the kids this holiday

This holiday, the MOD centres will offer a number of activities, ranging from sports activities to life skills programmes, which are provided in a safe environment for your child to learn and be active. We encourage you to consider these holiday programmes which are offered at your nearest MOD centre.

The Youth Safety and Religion Partnership Programme (YSRP)

The Western Cape Department of Community Safety is offering  the Youth Safety and Religion Partnership
Programme (YSRP) during the June/July holiday.  The programme provides children and youth within vulnerable areas with a safe space and constructive activities during the school holidays. It specifically targets children and youth aged 14-21 years old who live in high priority crime areas within the Western Cape, including areas that form part of the Community Safety Improvement Plan (CSIP).

You can find more information about the  June/July 2019 programme  in the latest press release from the Department of Community Safety. 

Libraries

Even in this digital age, our libraries are still very important and provide essential services to help neighbourhoods thrive by offering quiet spaces to learn and explore.  

Our local libraries will also be offering some fun, educational activities for children during the June holiday. From craft activities to educational talks, there'll be something for everyone. 

You can contact your local library for more information about these holiday programmes. 

Museums

Why not plan a trip to your nearest museum this holiday? In the Western Cape we have many different types of museums. There are 28 museums in our province which develop and promote collections, exhibitions and programmes to educate citizens.  You don’t need to make a booking, but a small entrance fee is required.  Use our Living Atlas to see all of our museums and find out more about each facility.

Volunteer

There are many non-profit organisations (NPO) that need help during the holidays. Volunteering is perfect for your older children and provides an opportunity to gain new skills. This can be a great opportunity to help underprivileged people. Find an NPO near you.

Holiday and leisure time reading guide

As parents, you can play a key role in building the reading and writing skills of your children by encouraging them to read during school holidays and after school hours. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has prepared reading lists to guide you on book selection at local libraries and when buying books for your children. 

All you have to do is to copy and paste the name of the book into the search bar of the EDULIS Library Online Catalogue, and select your local library from the drop-down list. The search result will tell you whether the library has the book, how many copies they have, and whether or not they're available. You can view the reading lists below:

Job shadow at the Western Cape Government (WCG)

Job shadowing is a fun way for teenagers to learn about different careers and can help them choose a career path.

• Talk to your child about strangers. They should never tell strangers their name or where they live.
• Make sure your children know your full name, address and phone number.
• Teach your child to keep all windows and doors locked when they’re at home alone.
• If a stranger is at the door, teach your children to tell the stranger you’re busy and that he/she should come back later.
• Ensure your child knows how to dial emergency numbers if they feel threatened.
• If your child gets lost in a mall or public area, tell them to go to a shop assistant for help immediately.
• Don’t leave your children alone in your car, whether it is running or not.

Useful contacts

In case of emergency, use these numbers:

Childline South Africa: 0800 55 555
SAPS: 10 111 or 112 from a cellphone
Ambulance: 10 177 or 112 from a cellphone