THE Durban Symphonic Choir presents Sacred Choral Music with Organ on Friday, September 16 at 18:30 at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church. The concert is hosted on a donation basis, and all funds raised will support Kerr House, Durban’s Women’s Hospice.
The concert features organist Christopher Cockburn and soloists Sibonelo Mbanjwa and Jennifer McCaul.
Concertgoers can enjoy snacks and refreshments after the concert in the church hall, and it’s all for a good cause. Dane Elsworth of St Cyprian’s Anglican Church told Berea Mail that Kerr House was founded in 1951 by St Cyprian’s Anglican Church and St Paul’s. Now in its 71st year of operation, Kerr House is overseen by St Cyprian’s.
“Kerr House is a shelter for women, all of whom have faced some form of gender-based violence. We have two social workers and three house mothers at Kerr House. We provide accommodation for up to 15 women and children where they receive professional counseling and rehabilitation to be reintegrated back into society,” said Elsworth.
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Sheila Naidoo, a social worker at Kerr House, said they assist women who have faced abuse free of charge.
“Women who come in have faced different types of abuse – there is physical, emotional, financial and psychological abuse. We work with them and create a safe space for them,” said Naidoo, adding that Kerr House takes a holistic approach, offering psychosocial support and skills development in baking, cooking, arts and crafts.
“The skills development programme is structured with something new each day. One day, we will focus on knitting; the next day, it is beading or sewing,” said Naidoo.
“As part of our psychosocial support, we provide a journal for the women to write in every day about their lives and what they have experienced throughout the day. It’s holistic care,” said Naidoo.
Dane Elsworth of St Cyprian’s Anglican Church said Kerr House’s running costs reach a staggering R1.3m per annum.
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“We need to do ongoing fundraising. We do receive significant support from the Department of Social Development, but we still have to raise about R600 000 per year,” he said.
The Covid-19 pandemic and July riots of 2021 impacted Kerr House’s fundraising.
“A lot of businesses that support us were impacted by the riots,” said Elsworth.
Kerr House is also accepting donations of groceries and women’s clothes, over and above the monetary donation to attend the concert. Concertgoers who wish to donate items can bring them along to the show. St Cyprian’s Anglican Church is located at 603 Umbilo Road. For more information, call 031 205 3710.
