Here children come first

MSHOLOZI – A locally based church is on a drive to ensure the safety and well-being of children in the area.

“My philosophy is to see to it that children of this country are well cared for, happy, listened to and appreciated,” explains
Past Grace Park who founded Agape Mission Church in the area five years ago with her husband Past Jacob.

“It is important to love kids, hug them and keep eye contact when talking to them, and also to concentrate on what they are saying,” she adds.

She says rule number one in being a good parent is never to ignore a child who tries to speak to you. The Parks family has, with the help of the Agape Church in their country of origin, South Korea, built a huge church in the area, and also runs a mini-library where pupils can read every afternoon.

The church also serves as a feeding centre for needy children who have lunch there from Monday to Thursday. It has also created jobs for more than four previously unemployed members of the church whom they had sent for training and hired as preschool teachers for the 34 children aged six months to six years.

The couple takes pride in the fact that the teachers are providing up-to-standard holistic early childhood development.
One of the teachers, Ms Leah Masilela says, “I’ve never met such nice people as our pastors. When I first attended their church services, I didn’t have anything.

I approached them and told them my needs and luckily there was a vacancy in the crèche and I was hired,” she said. “My life has developed in all spheres – spiritually, financially and in other ways,” she said.

The crèche currently needs an English teacher with NQF Level 5 or a diploma in early childhood development.

Enquiries: Past Grace Park on
081-829-6876.