A Brooklyn teenager with a passion for military aviation is urging the youth in his community to join a volunteer programme to support the museum at the Ysterplaat Air Base.
Justin Parkes, 16, says he joined the programme run by the Friends of the SAAF Museum to honour his grandfather, who died when he was 11.
His grandfather was a dog handler in a canine tactical unit at the base for decades, and Justin says he used to love hearing his stories about the daily happenings there and the country’s history.
The Buren High School Grade 10 feels it is important to keep the museum going so this part of the country’s history will not be lost.
He and other volunteers sell food and run fund-raisers to help keep the museum open to the public.
Justin also talks with pride about how he helps to maintain and polish some of the exhibits.
“At the air force base, I work on two early to mid-1900s wagon wheel fire extinguishers and the renowned Rolls Royce Griffon V12 engine, while other volunteers assist with tourists and visitors or work on other projects in our largest hangar.”
He believes the programme and others like it can help to make teens in his community less vulnerable to drugs and alcohol abuse and other social ills.
“There’s more to life than what Brooklyn can offer. Get involved in community projects and if there are none, start one.”
During the past week, a film production non-profit company, Touched By Style Community Arts Projects, visited the museum to work on Uncle Billy, a local crime-action series, and Justin helped to watch and protect the museum equipment during shooting.
Justin hopes the series will draw more visitors to the museum, and although he has had a taste of the film industry, he said his ultimate dream was to become a flight engineer.
Touched By Style Community Arts Projects founder Nic Mathee said he was impressed by Justin’s determination to make a positive impact in his community.
“Children possess an innate curiosity, and the goal is to guide them to a stage where they can utilise, discover, and develop their skills. Understanding the intricacies of a film project and engaging in the creative process can have a transformative and positive effect on their lives,” he said.
Friends of the SAAF Museum chairman John Wilson said Justin was one of 11 junior volunteers, and he encouraged more young people to join, saying: “They are the generation that must take over.”
Public donations were vital to the survival of the museum, he said, adding: “Every donation we get is for the upkeep of the museum and restoration of our planes and history.”
Call Friends of the SAAF Museum at 083 247 2149 for more information.
