EVEN though it may have come as a shock to be asked to retire because of age at a place she was very close to, Ellen Attwell is looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren who are already keeping her on her toes.
Attwell (69) dedicated her life to the Pinetown Highway Child and Family Welfare Society for almost 20 years and is very well known to the Highway community for her devotion in uplifting the society.
“Before I started working for the NGO, I was doing admin for a furniture company as I studied bookkeeping after my matric.”
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In 1992, I worked part time at the Candy Floss Crèche which was part of the Pinetown Highway Child and Family Welfare Society and the society’s second-hand shop.”
Attwell also opened an aftercare centre in Kloof. “I did my own thing for a couple of years and returned in 2002 working full time.
Through her food room coordination and many other donations initiatives, Attwell has built a good relationship with schools, companies and many individuals around the Highway area over the years.
“I am very passionate about helping people and through many years here, I have become very attached to the children and try my best for those cared for by the society.
She said her most memorable moments was when an article for a plea to fix eight cars was published in the Highway Mail.
“Within a few hours after that article was published, I received so many phone calls and by the end of the day all the cars were taken away to be fixed.
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The NGO really needs the cars for social workers to do their home visits and take the children to court.”
“The second memorable highlight of her time at the welfare was the renovation of a vandalised safe-home for children in KwaDabeka.”
The mother of three said she will miss getting up and going to work, but this will give her time to spend with her five grandchildren.
“Since I retired at the end of May, I have been getting calls to visit them in the afternoons,” smiled Attwell.
“I will be helping out at the Social Cause Shared Charity Shop, but I am looking for a half day job as I still feel very active and always eager to share my knowledge and continue with my passion.”
She added that she would like to thank and all the donors whom she had a very good relationship with and she hopes that people will still continue to support the child welfare especially during this time of financial struggle the NGO is facing.
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