Church identifies challenges

Father Alan Keartland and the board members of Manche Masemola Church attended the Edenvale Rotary Club’s (ERC) meeting on January 30 to report on the progress of community work undertaken with the club’s support.

ERC secretary Ms Linda Clarke said the church, which is based in Lombardy East, has benefited from the support of Edenvale Rotary Club and received funding from Rotary International.

She said some of the projects which the church implemented because of the support include the establishment of an aftercare/daycare centre, a vegetable garden, new fencing, gates and the installation of shade netting for the vegetable garden.

Ms Clarke said that, at the aftercare/daycare centre, the church makes use of qualified teachers who can assist learners in the afternoons.

Father Keartland said there are many people in Alexandra who still face socio-economic challenges and the church is unable to assist them all.

He said some challenges which prevent community members from accessing the church include a lack of taxis in the area and a damaged bridge.

At the end of last year the ERC held the Rotary Family Health Day at Manche Masemola, offering free screening for HIV, HIV counselling and immunisation over a three-day period.