Fun day – 50 children and their teachers from Ilitha Family Learning Educare Centre in Khayelitsha spent a day making memories at the Rotary Blue Train Park in Mouille Point on Thursday 10 March 2016. [Photo: Craig Wilson]

The day started with the 50 children, aged between two and five years old, rushing off of the buses eager to ride on the main attraction, the Blue Train. The locomotive goes on a circular route around the park through a small tunnel, with beautiful views of Lions Head and the ocean. The sun shone and the sea glistened as the children cheered with delight, waving from the train as it set off. After the train ride they played with colourful balloons, took turns flying along a zip line, swung on the swings and bounced around on the jumping castles until their legs were tired. They then sang songs and danced before sitting down to eat a delicious lunch and drink cool refreshments.

The special party for youngsters who come from one of Cape Town’s poorest informal settlements, Monwabisi Park, in Khayelitsha was arranged by members of the Rotary Club of Sea Point with support from the Gilah Bnoth Zion Group and Peninsula Beverages (PenBev – local bottler and distributor of The Coca-Cola Company products in the Western and Northern Cape).

Ilitha Family Learning Educare Centre is one of Sea Point Rotary Club’s key projects. The Educare Centre Principal, Christine Jita thanked the Club for their support since 2005 which has included the construction and equipping of a new school building. Gavin Schachat, interim President of Sea Point Rotary says, “This annual trip to the Rotary Blue Train Park brings so much joy to these children and is a highlight for the teachers too.”

For more information about Peninsula Beverages, visit www.penbev.co.zaor contact 021 936 5500. PenBev is also on Facebook www.facebook.com/PenBev.