Civil Engineering December 2021 | Vol 29 No 11

Civil Engineering December 2021 53 engineering careers, and to enlighten our youth on the career opportunities within these overlapping spheres. Similarly, the focus of the Water Division is on developing interest in careers involving the provision of water and sewer infrastructure. The first event was planned to provide insight on the different types of civil engineers who work together to build the environment we live in. It is anticipated that further support will be garnered from other SAICE technical divisions and co-sponsors. Workshops, social support, funding drives and sponsorships will be created via KUP to help uplift our youth. Physical support through the provision of appliances, clothing and toys (new or second hand), toiletries, perishables (fruits and vegetables) and stationery for the 2022 academic year would go a long way for an NPO like the Mohau Centre. Equally important is time given to extra maths and science tuition, talks to provide insight and guidance, or simply providing and sharing a meal with the children. The gift of time will help to build knowledge and self-esteem, as well as a sense of belonging. ABOUT MOHAU CHILD CARE CENTRE Mohau Child Care Centre hosted KUP in October this year, and the KUPsamaritans were met by curious and energetic young minds. The Mohau Centre provides care and support to orphaned, abused, aban- doned, neglected and terminally ill chil- dren and their families who are infected/ affected by HIV/AIDS. The centre offers temporary or permanent residential care and community based social services. The Mohau Centre is located within the Kalafong Hospital precinct in Atteridgeville, Pretoria North. It was opened in 1997 and all the children there were placed through court order. The need was identified by the Kalafong and Pretoria Hospitals due to the abandon- ment of babies by HIV positive mothers. The centre was initially registered for 35 children and in 2004 the first satellite house was purchased in Kilner Park, a residential area on the north- eastern side of Pretoria, to accommodate 10 more children. As the need increased, Mohau Child Care Centre expanded to include community-based social services. By encouraging participation in community development projects, Mohau’s focus is to strengthen and empower families who are unemployed, HIV/AIDS infected/ affected and experiencing social or emotional problems. The KUPsamaritans visited the centre on Saturday 9 October and provided an informative and fun day for the children. It started with a presentation on civil engineering, followed by interactive fun engineering-related activities, and ended with a shared meal. MEETING MOHAU’S NEEDS The Mohau Child Care Centre had expressed the need for a freezer, an indus- trial dryer and volunteer assistance. The SAICE IT and Water Divisions sponsored the freezer and industrial dryer. Mariswe sponsored the food and the fun activities that the kids enjoyed, including KFC meals, sweets and fun prizes for competi- tions. Special thanks to Lynesha Pillai and Game Ontiretse Magogodi for their thoughtful donation of toiletries, bedding and ice cream. We also acknowledge our KUP­ samaritans who contributed their time and input towards this worthy initiative: Segomotso Kelefetswe, Abri Vermeulen, Debbie Besseling, Onellan Govender, Joanna Govender, Thato Kelefetswe, Molebogeng Kelefetswe and Zoë Govender. HOW SAICE MEMBERS CAN GET INVOLVED Any support would be appreciated. Please contact SAICE, which will co-ordinate arrangements with the Mohau Child Care Centre. Should you want to assist, please reach out to Kuben Govender or Debbie Besseling who can provide a list of ongoing needs. For more information Mohau Child Care Centre www.mohau.za.org Workshops, social support, funding drives and sponsorships will be created via KUP to help uplift our youth An information session by Kuben Govender and Segomotso Kelefetswe Fun engineering activities kept the kids stimulated