Community skilled by the ESG
The Elsburg Support Group aims to uplift community members.
The Elsburg Support Group (ESG) recently awarded community members who completed the first aid, firefighting and evacuation training, with certificates.
The training was conducted by Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS).
“We asked DEMS to train these people due to the fact that a number of houses burnt in the Elsburg area,recently,” said the chairperson and founder of the ESG, Florence Matona.
“We want to train more people in the community because we believe that the more people we train the more empowered the community will be.
“This will be advantageous for when fires break out, as those trained will be able to help and assist where possible while waiting for more help.”
ESG was established by Matona in 2012.
“Among other things, the ESG aims to serve the mentally challenged and their families,” said Matona.
“We need to give them skills as they are not easily employed and even when they are employed they often lose their jobs due to their conditions.
“That is why it is important for us to help them to enable them to make a living from their skills.”
Matona is a trained psychiatric nurse at the Elsburg Clinic.
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“Through the years, I realised that most of the mentally challenged are misunderstood by the community and family members,” said Matona.
“We need to ensure they are understood by their families and community members.
“Nursing and uplifting the community are my passions, I love them.”
Woodwork, flower arranging, sewing, crocheting and dress-making are among the skills taught at the ESG.
“Our core value at the ESG is to skill people so they can feed their families and be proud of it,” said Matona.
Ward 39 councillor Clr Alta de Beer was also at the event.
“I am in full support of the work done by the ESG,” said de Beer.
“They also look after the elderly people and that is very important.
“A venue is their main challenge at the moment as they need somewhere to host their activities.”
Matona agreed with de Beer regarding a venue.
“We are currently utilising the Methodist Church in Elsburg for our meetings but we need a venue of our own,” said Matona.
“There are 39 members of the ESG and more people are welcome to join us; we meet every Thursday.
“We have ongoing relationships with SAVF Kowa Pienaar Old Age Home, Sunshine Association, Alice Orphanage Home and de Beer.”
Some of the work done by the ESG members was on display at the certification event.
For more information or to join the ESG contact Elizabeth Jacobs on 063 165 6070 or Matona on 073 207 0536.
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