The Lovetrain attracted a crowd of 250 young and old Alicedale residents at the town's train station last Friday, who came in their droves during the train's five-day stop-over just west of Grahamstown. Those attending the event on Friday were taught about positive living, basic computer skills and the services offered by different government departments on the Lovetrain.
The Lovetrain attracted a crowd of 250 young and old Alicedale residents at the town's train station last Friday, who came in their droves during the train's five-day stop-over just west of Grahamstown. Those attending the event on Friday were taught about positive living, basic computer skills and the services offered by different government departments on the Lovetrain.
Lovelife and the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) fund the Lovetrain to travel around South Africa and engage with communities in an effort to promote positive living and HIV/Aids awareness and education. The train arrived in Alicedale last Monday, and school children in the area were taken to see it by their teachers.
Sandile Ndabela, a Grade 7 pupil from Seven Fountains' Masakhane Primary School, came out of the train beaming after he was shown how to use a computer for the first time. "I have learnt more about Lovelife and what it does, and I have also learnt how to use a computer," he said. He also told Grocott's Mail that he learnt how to work in a team with his peers.
Government departments also took part in Friday's event, and members of the SAPS, Department of Health and Social Development spoke to residents and offered their services.
Warrant Officer Robson Bangela from the local SAPS thanked Lovelife for giving them a platform to talk to the community. "People never come out in numbers when we invite them to Community Police Forum meetings," he said. He told his audience that the biggest problem in Alicedale is drugs, and that even school children are starting to fall victim to the habits of alcohol and drug abuse.
He urged parents to watch their children, especially when they start asking for more and more money. "Drug dealers make their prices cheaper so that children can afford them. They also use children to sell drugs because they believe that it is not easy for the law to arrest and sentence them," he revealed.
Molebedi Mokoena, a Lovetrain employee, was happy with the turnout during their five-day stay in Alicedale. "Our trip to Alicedale was a success because we managed to attract young people between the ages of 12 and 17 which is our target," he said.
He said that Lovelife recruits young people to work as 'Groundbreakers' in the areas that they visit, to make sure that the work they do continues. "The Lovetrain just brings entertainment and adds more to what the Groundbreakers are already doing in the clinics on a daily basis," he said. The health department also offered HIV/Aids testing and counselling services for the five days that the train was there.
