Children between six and 12 years played games with represantative from Lets Play

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It was all fun and games in Newtown on World Aids Day

Aids orphans treated on World Aids Day Along with a number of private sector groups, the City hosted a group of Aids orphans and those affected by the virus to a fun day in Newtown. December 4, 2006 By Tabisa Mntengwana CHRISTMAS came early for a group of children from orphanages and disadvantaged schools in Soweto when they received gifts and spent the day playing in Newtown. Children from disadvantaged schools and orphanages enjoyed themselves playing games at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown on World Aids Day As part of its World Aids Day commemorations, the City of Johannesburg, together with The Star newspaper, World Vision and Kaya FM, treated the children to a day of fun and games at Mary Fitzgerald Square. Some of the children are from homes where family members are infected with HIV, while others have been orphaned by Aids. The day started at 10am, with breakfast supplied by Spar, and then it was time for games. According to World Vision's Daleen Raubenheimer, the event was organised to give Aids orphans a more joyful Christmas. World Aids Day, on Friday, 1 December, is set aside to raise awareness about HIV/Aids. With the help of World Vision, an organisation that takes care of poverty-stricken children all over the world, about 600 children between six and 12, were taken to the square for a fun day out. The games were provided by Let's Play, an organisation that encourages physical activity and brings back the fun and excitement of participating in sport. The children were entertained by clowns, storybook characters such as the Little Mermaid and Cinderella, and balloon modellers. Other entertainment included jumping castles, carnival games, gladiators' castles, slides and a Play Station booth. "Christmas is a time of joy, peace, love and giving and it's a time that most kids look forward to," said Kaya FM managing director Charlene Deacon. Lunch was served and the children received gifts from The Star after the meal. Radio station Kaya FM broadcast live on the square. Other partners who helped sponsor the day were Epson Printers, Broadway Sweets, CineMobile, Sound Stylists, Creative Inclination, Blue Eyed Book, Student Village and MPR Hiring. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za