58 children and a handful of support staff were recently held up at the Mustadafin Foundation Education Centre by a gang of gunmen; the foundation is rebuilding, boosting hope and security at the same time!
Cape Town, South Africa (19 June 2023) – The Mustadafin Foundation works to protect children from disadvantaged communities in Cape Town; they offer a safe space for many. The team were left horrified when a gang of armed men held up the foundation’s education centre, stealing what little everyone there had. Not letting these men win, the foundation has brought in a social worker to help the children process the trauma and are rebuilding, replacing what was lost and making sure security is boosted.
On Tuesday, 13 June 2023, 58 children, a counsellor and three teachers were interrupted by gunmen who stormed the Mustadafin Foundation’s learning centre entrance in search of valuables. The woman and children were shoved into a classroom while the three armed suspects made their getaway in a silver Toyota Etios with an unknown registration number.
“It’s terrible that these kinds of things are still happening in our community. It is terrifying that this happened at a place where our children and teachers are supposed to feel safe,” says Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, director at Mustadafin. “The children, counsellor and teachers are traumatised.”
“I was speaking to the learners when everything just went silent. I looked at their faces and noticed how full of fear they were. I then turned around and saw a gentleman standing behind me with blue clothes on. He walked towards my bag and took my phone and money out of my wallet. I screamed at him to stop, but then the children screamed at me to just give everything and not to let him shoot me,” recalls the teacher, who wishes to remain unnamed. “They even went through the youngsters’ bags and took what little they had in there.”
Mustadafin works closely with impoverished communities in the Western Cape, including Tafelsig where their learning centre is located. The learning centre is an educational program designed by the Mustadafin after discovering thousands of children in Tafelsig have never been in a school let alone a classroom. Since the opening of the learning centre, 627 children have entered into mainstream schools.
“Many of the children introduced into the learning centre are already traumatised from challenging family backgrounds and ongoing community violence,” says Johnstone-Cassiem. “Everyone is very traumatised by the incident. To help the children and teachers to get through it, we have bought in a social worker to help. These are poverty-stricken children who are working really hard to improve their lives by using the learning centre. It’s sad that they may not feel safe here after the incident.”
Mustadafin is requesting financial support from the public or any organisation that is able to provide support. Funds will be used to improve the security at the learning centre so that children can feel safe again.
How else can you help Mustadafin?
- Only R12: Did you know that for only R12 Mustadafin is able to provide someone with a nutritious meal for the day?
- Donate R450 and a family of four will receive a basic food parcel.
- Donate R150 will give someone a blanket to keep them warm.
- Any second-hand or new warm clothing.
- Fencing and security gate
For more information on how to you can be part of the Mustadafin, call 021 633 0010 or visit their website at mustadafin.org.za.
Donations can be made to Mustadafin Foundation
Standard Bank,
Branch code 025909,
Account no 072 778 377
or visit 154 Antelope Street to drop off items.
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