Boy bowled over by birdie

2003-05-16 10:33

Malixole Gwatyu

Cape Town - A Westlake toddler who was close to death's door last year after sustaining extensive injuries in a fire, was overjoyed on Tuesday when he received his "dream present".

Emile Siebritz, 3, sustained severe burns on his face in December last year when a fire destroyed their home.

His father, David, a guard at the Pollsmoor prison, says the family went through tough times while Emile was going through three months of treatment.

"He is making progress and is happy, but has always wanted a parkeet. He loves birds and I meant to buy him one as soon as possible", he said.

Eddie Johnson, provincial spokesperson for the department of correctional services, says prisoners of Pollsmoor's bird project heard about Emile's desire and they decided to give him a parkeet.

Emile looked at his mother, Elizabeth, while the prisoner, who raised the parkeet, gave it to him and softly scratched the tiny head while saying" "my budgie."

Wikus Gresse, chairperson of the parole board, says the bird project, launched in 1997, is a huge success. "About 300 birds are being raised and cared for annually. It helps the prisoners in the rehabilitation process, because the same hands which committed a murder or stole, are being used in a positive manner," he said.

Only prisoners in the A-group, who have more privileges and who request to be involved in the bird project, are allowed to get involved. They have to sign a contract with the authorities and can be disqualified if they misbehave.

An excited Tanya Kuhlmman of Constantia, who fetched two of her parkeets, was also pleased. She brought them to the prison earlier this year after the mother died in a rainstorm. Randall Cedras, a prisoner who looked after her birds, said it took a "lot of love" to raise the birds.

"When they were brought here, they hardly had feathers and now they are about six weeks old and very happy", he said.

- Die Burger