The centre was founded to focus on home-based care for HIV-positive persons but, over the years, it has expanded to include an after school-care programme.
The programme sees close to 100 young people, between the ages of six years and 18 years, who visit the centre every afternoon.
John Wesley is an outreach programme of the Northfield Methodist Church.
Phindile Mthombeni, an employee at John Wesley, said that the children take part in various activities at the centre.
These activities include well run gymnastics programmes, chess programmes, computer lessons, a marimba band and a reading and spelling programme.
“This gives these children an opportunity to get away from the social issues such as teenage pregnancy, drugs and HIV/Aids,” added Mthombeni.
All the children who are part of the after-school programme are from the Etwatwa area.
“The children love this place, they don’t want to leave – we have to chase them away sometimes,” said Mthombeni.
The children come from various backgrounds, some are from vulnerable families and some visit the centre for assistance.
The home-based care at the centre supports 100 people who are affected or infected with HIV/Aids.
“They are referred to us by clinics and we try to provide emotional and financial support with the food packages that we receive from the Department of Social Development,” said Mthombeni.
Thoko Nkomo is the manager and programme leader at John Wesley Community Centre.
Nkomo said the purpose of the home-based care is to help HIV-positive persons to regain hope and confidence.
“We want to remind them that they can still add value to people’s lives,” said Nkomo.
“We visit the homes four times a week – and we write reports on Fridays and conduct our workshops.”
As a qualified professional nurse, Nkomo said she runs the centre with a vision to encourage the community to lead stable lives.
“We reconstruct family structures that may have been ruined by HIV/Aids; this involves encouraging people to take care of themselves emotionally and physically,” said Nkomo.
This specific passion of contributing to the community, is what Nkomo grooms into her staff.
She boasts a number of former volunteers and people who have benefited from the centre, who come back and share their knowledge with the next generation.
Nkomo said many of the centre’s successes stem from generous donations from the Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora, St Dunstan’s College and Northfield Methodist Church.
The Rotary Club donated a mini library, renovated the kitchen and arts class and funded the building of showers to be used by the children.
Lions Clubs also supported the centre’s arts students and St Dunstan’s College often hosts interactive functions between their children and the centre’s children.
Northfield Methodist Church provides financial support by conducting fund-raising initiatives for the centre.
Nkomo said she would like to encourage people to visit the centre and to share their expertise with the learners.
“We always need volunteers to come and teach and help out where they can,” said Nkomo.
For more information on the John Wesley Community Centre, visit their website on www.johnwesleycc.org.
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