Mission to bring light to the homeless and destitute
The Imbali Foundation aims to make life a little easier for those in desperate need in Germiston.
It will be a beacon of hope.
A lighthouse in the dark and place of safety for the destitute, abandoned and needy of Germiston.
Somewhere where people can be fed and find shelter, especially women and children.
However, it cannot be all of these things if the sale of the building does not materialise.
The building, situated on the corner of Webber Street and Power Road in Germiston South, used to house the old Post Office and SAPS family quarters and has been vacant for over 20 years.
Now the Imbali Foundation, situated in Parkhill Gardens, wants to bring life back to the derelict building and create a place where those who need it most can find help and security.
The idea for the mission of faith came in a dream to Imbali Foundation founder Joseph Bachfischer.
“God speaks to me in my dreams and I dreamt of opening a mission,” Joseph said.
“Shortly after the dream I drove past the building and the vision became clear.”
The mission aims to act as a food centre and a homeless centre for those in need, especially women and children.
Men will also be accommodated as the mission will not turn anyone away.
There will also be two “holes in the wall” where women can place their unwanted babies.
These will be checked constantly and the infants will receive qualified care at their most vulnerable time of life.
“Once a baby has been entrusted to our care we will immediately contact the Department of Social Development, register the baby and the child will be placed in our care for the first six months.
“Thereafter the courts will decide if the child remains in our care or is transferred to another place of safety,” Joseph said.
“We will be there for them when they are at their most vulnerable and ensure they get the care they need.”
While staying at the centre, the Imbali Foundation will work on skills development with the homeless/destitute and assist them to find employment or in some cases employ them within the foundation.
“I want the children standing on the street corners to know they can come here for a meal and care,” Joseph said.
“They must know that there is somewhere for them to go.”
If the foundation comes across an abandoned child the same process as with the babies will be followed.
The plans for the refurbishment of the building will see a beautiful space being created for people.
There will be a communal kitchen, scullery and lounge area, as well as communal bathroom blocks (for men and women) and a storage space.
The Imbali Foundation also runs a crèche at 50 Rhodes Avenue, in Parkhill Gardens, and the crèche will be moved to the building once it is ready.
The building will be refurbished through donations.
Now all that stands in the way of the dream is to purchase the building.
Joseph told the GCN that he has been trying for a year to make contact with someone at the Department of Public Works to help them either purchase or rent the building.
“We are willing to take the building on as it is and assume full responsibility for rates and taxes.
“We will also use the building as our head office once we take occupation,” Joseph said.
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However, as yet they have had no luck.
The GCN has also requested comment from the department but at the time of press no comment had been received.
Joseph added that the foundation accepts all donations to help those in need and can issue 18A Sars tax exemption certificates for donations received.
They in turn then give donations to people in need.
If you would like to assist the foundation in any way or find out more about the project contact Joseph on 083 338 3365.
Joseph told the GCN that he will have a light burning on the roof at all times so people can see the beacon of hope and come for assistance.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.zaor Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za
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