NEW owners have taken over the Papillon premises in Rosettenville. After almost 17 years of its existence, with many trials, tribulations and great successes, the time has come for new blood to institute exciting new projects and for the expansion of the current social empowerment projects.
The Seventh Day Adventist Church is the proud new owners of the property, and they will continue with the existing projects under their own name.
Landry Komba (ex-Papillon member) will remain as the ICDL basic computer course trainer, and Adolphine Okeibunor (ex-Papillon member) will also remain as the student registrations officer.
The Papillon, founded in 2002, has a proud record in the South, substantiated by amazing records of achievements towards the improvement of the local communities. The communities in the South and elsewhere bid a sad farewell to Stephen and Marian Smith, the founders of The Papillon Foundation.
The Papillon Foundation record from 2002 to 2018:
• 9 711 courses were done by the community members.
• 422 tons of donated goods were freely distributed to smaller charities, NGOs, clinics, missions and worthy causes across the country.
• 1 637 orphans and poor children were supported annually with Christmas gifts.
• 1 670 donated computers were refurbished and placed at smaller NGOs.
• Free trauma counselling training was given to hundreds of child handlers, teachers, community workers and emergency volunteers.
They also have a host of untold stories about selfless assistance to orphans, special needs schools, old age homes and thousands of individuals over the years.
Marian Smith said: “We believe that the superior manpower of the new owners will increase the growth of the existing projects, as a solid foundation was laid by The Papillon Foundation, and that the communities will benefit greatly by their future efforts. Papillon was a small non-profit organisation with only six permanent volunteers. Imagine what a new force with more than 500 members will do.”
Stephen Smith said: “To the residents of the South, it was our honour to serve you for so many years, and we leave you with our heads help up high, knowing that we did our best to help where we could. To all of our friends and our enemies, know that you are in our prayers, and we wish you only the best in your futures. Much work awaits in our future, but this excites us, as it is the Lord that helps us to move mountains. Farewell and we pray that new winds will deliver great improvements for the residents of the South.”
Also Read:
Papillon Foundation receives top award
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