Orkney congregation making a donation to a nearby children's home
Receiving a warm blanket
Grace Mashaba
 The
children at the home in Nelspruit
The children at the home in Johannesburg |
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 on a regular basis. In addition to this, in 1999, the "Adopt-A-Congregation" programme was initiated where needy congregations were identified and "adopted" by more affluent congregations. The aim is to provide what is most necessary on an organised basis.
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. Members in need of clothes are further encouraged to contact the national NAC Helpline.
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.
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 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, they also 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 the Amazing Grace Children’s Home in Johannesburg
were completed in November 2005. The home consists out of the dormitories, ablution
facilities for boys and girls separately, a dining area, counselling
room, kitchen and the main house. There is also a store room where
all clothing donations are repaired and stored. A training centre will be built on the premises
some time in the future, where skills like
cooking, sewing, woodwork, metalwork, upholstery and art classes
will be 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 as well as drug abuse and sex. 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.
Contact details -
Malelane:
Daniel Sikhoza
Tel: (013) 790 0423
Fax: (013) 790 1789
E-mail: agch@soft.co.za
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Amazing Grace Children's Home
ABSA BANK
Malelane, South Africa
Account number: 4050020147
Branch code: 334552
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Contact details -
Johannesburg:
Grace Mashaba
Tel: (011) 948 8920
Fax: (011) 948 8008
E-mail: agch@soft.co.za
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Amazing Grace Children's Home
EIKENHOF, JOHANNESBURG
ABSA BANK
Southgate, South Africa
Account number: 4060999538
Branch code: 632405 |
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