Welfare

In keeping with the great commandment, the principle of giving is fostered and encouraged on an ongoing basis amongst young and old. Donations of food and clothing in the various congregations are channelled to the poor as the need arises. From time to time, through other outreach programmes donations may be distributed in mass to the rural areas where our people simply do not have.

Occasionally, donations of various kinds are made to certain reputable welfare organisations or hospitals. Members on a congregational or regional level, or youth groups also visit homes for children, the aged or handicapped and give assistance.

In April 2009 a special relationship commenced between the church and Child Welfare South Africa an organization that with the assistance of many membership organizations, care for destitute children and their affected families throughout South Africa. The church’s objective is to provide ongoing support in the form of tangible (clothing, non perishable food, blankets, money, toys etc.) or non tangible donations (skills training and social support).

Amazing Grace Children's Homes

In 1990, Grace Mashaba initiated a “soup kitchen” for homeless children in Nelspruit, called the Malelane Shelter. As a result of the growing need of these children - Malelane lies within a vast region of under-privileged and disadvantaged children of this nature - she registered as a non-profitable organisation in 1998 and changed the name to the Amazing Grace Children's Home.

The New Apostolic Church has begun to play a substantial supportive role in this organisation. A building was donated to the home in Malelane and there are further intentions to upgrade the facilities.

The church also committed itself to making available part of its property at Eikenhof, Johannesburg, for the use of another Children’s Home and recently completed improvements to the site. The home was officially opened on 22 November 2005. The church also provides assistance towards the monthly operational expenditure.

The Amazing Grace Children's Home, Nelspruit, consists of 9 buildings namely: 2 bathrooms, the girls' dormitory, the boys' dormitories, kitchen, library, a building where divine services are held, the sewing centre and the storeroom for the sewing centre. The sewing centre is Grace's own initiative. Here they produce garments to sell in order to generate income, and in addition to this, they produce school uniforms for the children. At the far end of the property they have an extensive piece of ground used for recreational purposes.

Renovations to the Amazing Grace Children’s Home in Johannesburg were completed in November 2005. The home consists of dormitories, separate ablution facilities for boys and girls, a dining area, counselling room, kitchen and the main house. There is also a store room where clothing donations are repaired and stored. A training centre was constructed on the premises as well where skills like cooking, sewing, woodwork, metalwork, upholstery and art classes are being taught. The children also attend divine services at a congregation on the premises. Overall, the home is able to accommodate approximately 100 children.

The children at these homes vary between the ages of 1-18 years. They originate from various backgrounds and have different reasons for being there. Children often arrive there out of their own free will, but some are also brought there by social workers and the SAPS. During the day the children attend the local schools in the area where they receive a normal education. A great deal of the children are too young to attend school therefore they receive their education at the children's home. This sometimes poses difficulties because of the lack of teaching aids, staff training and art supplies.

The children also indulge in many stimulating activities, such as traditional dancing, painting and gardening. They are also very independent and do small in house tasks to improve the quality of their own living. Children who are in need of counselling, receive it from Grace or the local counselling staff. The children are also educated about the causes and effects of HIV- AIDS, drug abuse, and sexual behaviour. Apart from this, an annual outing is arranged where the children can have fun without the normal anxieties of everyday life.

Any financial contributions in support of the two children's homes are welcome.