27 Mar 2009 These Easter holidays, children are invited to head along to The Zone@Rosebank and build their very own teddy bear, in aid of Bokomosa, which supports the children of homeless people in Joburg.

For two weeks, between 1 and 15 April 2009, the centre will be partnering with the Build-A-Bear Workshop® Foundation-South Africa in hosting Easter workshops, during which parents and children can create their own lovable, huggable teddy bear companion. For every personalised, custom-made bear made by members of the public, The Zone@Rosebank will donate another teddy bear to Bokomosa.

The interactive bear-making experience is fun and educational, and participants will be contributing toward an extremely worthy cause.

Bokomosa strives to provide a future for the children of homeless street vendors, as well as children who have been removed from traffic islands or who are used as a tool to beg on the streets.

The charity sponsors children to be placed in a crèche or a temporary facility, and reports that the progress they make there is nothing short of phenomenal. The teddy bears crafted during the holidays at The Zone will be donated to underprivileged children at the Roly Poly Crèche, situated at 30 Edith Cavell Street in Hillbrow.

Says Bokomosa committee chairperson Eve Jammy: “We would like to raise awareness among the public that by giving money to women with children on the streets, they are encouraging a harmful practice.” She says that the charity has difficulty convincing these mothers to place their children in a crèche, as they make more money begging with a child than on their own. Some of them even borrow tots to pass off as their own.

“This is a serious problem, because these children are on the streets in all kinds of weather, inhaling fumes from passing cars,” adds Jammy. “They are also deprived of interacting with other kids, playing and learning basic skills. The first five years of a child’s life are the most important in terms of development, as they learn more than during any other stage.”

So head down to The Zone@Rosebank this Easter, and bring some extra cheer into these children’s lives. For more information on Bokomosa, contact Eve Jammy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .