The admirable work done by the Solidariteit Helpende Hand organisation was highlighted at last week’s information meeting at the Pines Wedding and Conference centre.
The event, directed by Melissa Nel, the regional coordinator for Mpumalanga and Northern KZN, had two goals: to enlighten the community about the work they do and to promote community involvement.
Helpende Hand has branches that comprise of volunteers who identify the needs of Afrikaners in their communities and address these needs within the framework of the organisation.
The need to develop the community within which one lives is a central theme.
“We are all volunteers”, said George Weber. “When you help someone, you are in turn helping yourself.”
Nel discussed the NPO’s activities, which include, but are not limited to, giving funds for student loans to people who are unable to pay for them themselves and conducting school feeding programmes.
Over the previous 11 years, the Helpende Hand Study Fund Centre has distributed 220 study grants to more than 6300 deserving students. Six students have received interest-free study loans from the fund this year in Newcastle alone.
“The impact we have had on these children’s lives is immeasurable,” Nel told the meeting.
The organisation relies on donations and proceeds from their over 100 used-goods “charity” stores, known as “Ons Winkels.”
Elmarie Mostert, who runs the Newcastle Ons Winkel with a lot of vigour and enthusiasm, said: “We say we are a love shop. These stores assist in both fund-raising and providing assistance to those who cannot afford to purchase products at exorbitant prices. People from old age homes, for instance, frequently visit us, and some have even purchased glasses for just R10”.
She stressed that the aim is not only to support the underprivileged but to fund students’ studies. Mostert urged the community to buy from the shop at 2 John Parks Road.
All donations and proceeds from the shops are strictly accounted for and the organisation does provide a tax certificate for tax purposes. Nel concluded by urging the community to support the group.
“We wish to strengthen the Helpende Hand branch already in place and advance community development.”
Visit www.helpendehand.co.za or contact Melissa on 072 660 7345, Annemarie van Heerden, regional coordinator for Mpumalanga and KZN North Region on 082 829 2546 or George Weber to get involved. Alternatively, visit www.sluitaantak.co.za.
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