Project empowers the less fortunate
The Urban Ruins project is a social entrepreneur venture that has been running since February to uplift children in the community of Boksburg.
The project was started by director Leigh Hudson-Ingle and Julie Hudson-Ingle.
They have applied for NPO status.
According to Leigh, there are approximately 1 500 children in the Boksburg Central that are impoverished and unattended to.
“These children roam the streets, not attending school, and are completely unsupervised,” says Leigh.
“Children who do attend schools in the morning do not necessarily have a place that is free and safe to play, when they have finished their homework,” says Leigh.
With the passion and help of a group of volunteers, Leigh says, Urban Ruins has managed to provide a safe place to play for about 35 to 50 children daily, including Saturdays.
Leigh says that the project provides access to outdoor activities, including a BMX dirt track, skateboard park in and around the ruins of a house, trampoline and swings and one jungle gym.
Creative activities include karate, guitar, drums, arts and craft lessons and yoga.
“We encourage the children to play soccer, French cricket, baseball and netball too. On Saturdays we provide workshops on how to fix your bicycles, gardening and growing vegetables.
“We also run a kids market where children entrepreneurs are encouraged to make and sell items,” she explains.
Leigh appeals to residents to assist them through donations as they are raising funds to build ablutions and a children’s day centre.
“We are in need of some support in setting up the small entrepreneurial businesses that will help fund the project. This project is not a charity; its main goal is to teach children that they can be self-empowered to progress in life.”
The address for the organisation is 2 Maple Street, Plantation.
For those who would like to get involved in any way may contact Leigh on 082 908 7713.
