A day in the life of an average teenager living in Heideveld

 A typical scene in the Cape Flats, no work and no where to go.

The day begins as usual, getting up, get dressed, have breakfast (if there is any) and wash ready for the day. Perhaps you are fortunate enough that you father is around and has work so there is some toast for you in the morning but for many in our community and other communities like Heideveld, children grow up in broken homes where money is little and there is not enough for the basic needs of milk and bread.

A small boy posing with 'gun' shaped hands, guns are used every day here in gang fights

On your way to school your stomach is grumbling from hunger and already it is hard to concentrate, let alone focus on school work but you are on your way anyway. On the way to school you see drug peddlers (sellers) standing on the street corner, some of them so you they should be in their way to school with you, but there they are selling their wares. In our communities there is a lack of role models to guide our children in the right direction. For some families there is no money for school fees or clothes and so for these parents they often keep their child at home which inevitably leads to the children mixing with the wrong people and ultimately ending up on the street. Children as young as 12 are in this life and when they are surrounded in a place with high unemployment, poor education and little opportunites for them, selling drugs is a means of providing for their families and buy the nice things they desire; clothes, cars and nice food. For them it is easy money wand what starts as a ‘favor’ quickly turns into a gang and crime driven life that can be impossible to get out of.

This all sounds depressing but GCU is trying to change that and break this cycle piece by piece. We strive to support these very children through the good times and the bad by giving them an outlet for their anger and aggression through sport. Channel that energy positively and support them in their education giving them time and devotion showing them that they can achieve everything they want in life. GCU provides these children with concrete and positive role model that will never abandon them. The community knows that GCU is here to support them and guide them, we understand that we can only help those who want it but we know that by doing this work we will be able to make a difference in their lives.

By Cazlin Fleurs

GCU U/7 coach

         GCU coach Gogo with a player and their medal