Skills programme ensures future for women in crisis

A group of Australian women travelled to South Africa in the hopes of making a difference in the lives of women living at Kerr House, a shelter for women in crisis.

For the past three years, Mitzi De Klerk, an ex-pat living in Perth, has helped raise funds for Kerr House, by hosting high teas and dances. She, along with another ex-pat, Jenny Sage, and Australian, Tracey Cook, recently visited the shelter to hand over a cheque for R36 246 to Father Dane Elsworth, centre manager.

Not only did they donate funds, but they also gave of their time to put the women through a care givers course to give them training which will hopefully help them get work to support themselves and their children.

“A seed was planted at my last visit to Kerr House that I needed to get involved in doing something to help benefit the women, to give them employment opportunities. I am a care giver, and I know this is where I could pass on my knowledge with my eyes closed!” said Mitzi.

Mitzi spoke to Jenny, who runs a training college and teaches care giving, about getting together to give the women at Kerr House a course on care giving. Tracey, who is an assessor and trainer, visited South Africa with the two women to help run the five-day course.

“We are grateful to them for making the time to come to the country to share their knowledge with the women at Kerr House. We are also extremely grateful for the donation,” said Father Dane.

Mitzi said the fundraising for Kerr House would be ongoing.