Participants in the Ocean View Youth Cadets programme during a drilling session.
An Ocean View non-profit organisation has started a cadets programme to help create strong community leaders among the youth.
The Vigis Home of Hope, which offers food and support to the elderly, the unemployed and children, launched the Ocean View Youth Cadets at the Ocean View High School earlier this month, and so far 189 children have signed up, according to founder Dimetre Vigis.
The project aims to teach children aged 7 to 18 to be respectful citizens and to avoid gangs and substance abuse. It includes drilling exercises, a life-skills programme and physical activities and runs every Saturday from 8.30am to 12.30pm at the high school’s basketball court. A meal is also included. The activities start with a prayer and the national anthem.
Mr Vigis believes the programme will give the children the skills and character traits they need to make sound decisions in life.
“We teach them discipline and respect which will give them the power to not give in to peer pressure.”
They plan on organising hikes and cleaning projects in the future to teach endurance and responsibility.
“There are so many negative things going on in Ocean View, such as killings, drugs being sold on the street corners, and the recruitment of our youth into gangs. This is a way out for them, and we can teach them that stealing, lying and gangsterism aren’t the only way out.”
Two retired drilling instructors work with the participants and six “commanders” who help with the programme. Parents also assist.
Mr Vigis’s brother, “major” Vasco Vigis, who manages the “commanders”, said: “Working with children is a great pleasure and has brought me great joy. I know that the youth of Ocean View and the surrounding areas will be empowered by this programme.”
Retired police drill instructor Charles Petersen leads the drilling. He said it all boiled down to discipline.
“Disciple helps to encourage them to think positively and to see there is a better life out there for them.”
Mr Petersen is also the chairman of the school governing body and a former spokesman for the Ocean View police station.
It was important to get parents involved because discipline started at home, he said. “We want the parents to get involved as this will help build up our community.”
Children from Masiphumelele and Red Hill were also involved in the programme, he said.
Ocean View High School acting principal Andrew Sanders said he had already seen an improvement in the behaviour of those pupils taking part in the programme.
“I want to encourage pupils from the school and the community to get involved. It instils pride and teaches them to face difficulties. I have witnessed first-hand the change in pupils.”
Not all the school’s pupils took part in sports so the cadets programme was a chance for them to be active and learn teamwork, he said.
Mr Sanders said the cadets would show off their skills at a community festival planned for September as part of Heritage Month.
Registration for the cadets programme is free and open to all children aged 7 to 18 in the far south. Visit the Vigis Home of Hope Facebook page or email dimetre@vigishomeofhope.co.za for more information.