Burglars target Pophuis ECD

GEORGE NEWS - The Pophuis Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Parkdene is an essential day care facility for the children of Parkdene, but unfortunately it suffers severely from constant theft and break-ins.

The manager of Pophuis ECD, Anna Solomons, says that despite offering a service to the very children of this community, the centre is constantly targeted.

During the last incident at the centre, fire extinguishers as well as stoves were stolen. The stoves were later returned. The criminals also damaged the water tanks and playground equipment used by the school.

Before the pandemic the ECD accomo-dated 105 pupils, but since the lockdown measures of the past 16 months, the numbers have dwindled to as few as 45 pupils.

Mayor Leon Van Wyk said our communities are feeling the effects of Covid-19, which has had a ripple effect. "With the pandemic comes joblessness which then leads to crime and other social ills rearing their heads. Unfortunately, it's institutions such as these that bear the brunt of crime."

From left are George Mayor Leon Van Wyk; Cllr Erika Brown; Pophuis ECD manager Anna Solomons; Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke; Ward Councillor for Ward 8 (Parkdene area) Bazil Petrus; and Cllr Marlene Barnardt.

Van Wyk said ECD facilities play a huge role in the lives of our young ones and one of the biggest challenges to these facilities is Covid-19, which has seen unemployment skyrocket and parents unable to afford to pay the monthly fees any longer.