Local NPO aims to assist less fortunate in community
With the aim of restoring hope and bringing smiles to the community of Thembisa, an organisation put their individual skills on the table to assist the community.
Vaakatiko is an NPO, with a focus on helping those less fortunate as a way of giving back to the community.
Mpho Rebisi, Thato Rebisi and Thabang Mashela came together on July 11, last year to start the organisation.
The trio has focused on youth in schools because they regularly saw young girls dating older men just for money to buy food and toiletries.
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Additionally, they noticed that young talented boys would get involved in drugs.
The three decided to provide whatever they could to help the youth of Thembisa.
Vakaatiko founder Thabang Mahlase said that his experience in the printing and internet industry encouraged him to join this journey.
He added that the organisation had a long way to go.
“I wanted to assist the broader community because I have seen the social skills that our youth are faced with.
“I believe we are headed in the right direction.
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“We have several programmes and events under our belt and there is still more to be done.
“We want to establish a strong footprint in Thembisa,” Mahlase said.
On its mission, the NPO has provided skills development training in catering, construction, website design, and sports events.
All training is done free of charge in hopes of providing critical skills development training in the community.
Lorraine Rebisi, who runs the soup kitchen project and the NPO’s social media, said seeing what happens on the streets daily encouraged her to join the NPO.
“I saw children eating from the bins in the park.
“That broke my heart. So I told myself that I would try and provide them with something,” she said.
She heads up the organization’s kitchen soup and sanitary pad drives and said the NPO gives back with love.
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“We are currently looking for sponsors from the community who are able to assist with anything that can help develop the community.
“We want to give people hope and something to smile about.”
Vakaatiko founder Mpho Rebisi, who oversees sports events, said that his love for the community is what pushed him to make an impact.
“Seeing youth with no one to guide them in this cruel world encouraged me and my team to give back to the community,” he said.
