NEWSCOM – Asikhuleni Zomba drop-in centre is playing a very important role in ensuring that vulnerable and needy children in the community don’t go to bed on empty stomachs.
Since the centre was established in 2012, it has been providing food and clothes for 108 children which includes orphans and those who are coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Speaking to this reporter the project manager, Ms Doris Gama said: “Children are close to my heart. I love them and I believe that as women we are the pillars of our societies. I open my hands and my house for needy children.”
I started the centre after I had realized that most of the children are suffering and don’t have clothes. They don’t eat proper food and we also have children who are living with HIV/AIDS, they need to eat healthy food and take their medication on time.
“We managed to survive up to this far because of the donations that we normally receive from the community and other local business people such as together funeral undertaker since we don’t have a sponsor,“ she explained.
Gama added that most of the children end up living in the streets and some end up taking drugs because they are neglected and they lack guidance and others are sexually abused. She stated that she would love to have a structure for the kids where they can stay because having a meal is not enough as she emphasised that the children are abused by their relatives.
“Uma ngibona ingane ngiyithatha njenge yami ,which is something that we need to teach ourselves as I believe that by doing so, we will conquer all the challenges that are affecting our kids today like drug abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy because we give them love and support and they will not be mislead by sugar daddies.”
Gama said even though they are surviving it’s not an easy journey because a lot needs to be done. Many organizations have already started their Warm Winter Campaign, encouraging people to donate clothes and soup to keep needy children warm this winter. Therefore this centre also needs donations.
“We really like to urge our people to donate food and winter clothes so that we can keep our children warm. It doesn’t matter whether it is old clothes, it will make a big difference, as much as I believe that with the little that we have, we can make a difference,” she said.
Those who are willing to donate with food or winter clothes can contact this publication on (013) 754 1600 during office hours.