They give hope

The Othandweni Multi-Purpose Centre recently held a Christmas party for the children.
The centre cares for 80 vulnerable children.
The rainy weather did not stop the children from enjoying the day.
Ms Phumzile Tshabalala, secretary, said it is an annual event where food parcels and clothing are given to the children.

“We also give clothes to some of the parents who are struggling,” Ms Tshabalala said.
The centre does not only feed the children, they also teach them basic life skills.
All the presents were donated since they depend on donations from people to operate.
They also help people who don’t have identity documents and birth certificates to enable parents to apply for children’s grants.

“My aunt never had an ID and I came to the centre and they helped her and she now receives a social grant.

“Thank you very much, may the Lord bless Ms Tshabalala and make her live long,” Ms Lydia Njemla said.

Mr Joseph Hlatswayo, chairman, opened with prayer and a sermon to motivate the children.

Mr Hlatswayo told the parents that children are a blessing from God and need to be treated as such.

He also emphasized that parents need to take proper care of children and not abuse them.

“Children are like a spear in the hands of a hero, and it is only useful depending on how the hero holds the spear.

“If you mistreat your children when they are still young, they will grow up and ill-treat you.
“As parents we should not anger our children, but we need to reprimand them with love,” he said.
The children were motivated and sang praise songs.
The centre has been operating at the OJ Church in Ext 7.

According to Ms Tshabalala, the church began another organisation that is doing the same work.
“We cannot operate at these premises anymore and haven’t gotten another place for this year,” she said.
They seek the help of the community with donations or a place they can use to operate from.
For the past six years the centre gives presents and food parcels to children at TRC in Sakhile on Christmas day.

“We do this every year, we begin there and give the children food parcels and after that go home and enjoy the day as a family,” Ms Tshabalala said.

She thanked the community for the support throughout last year.

Contact Ms Tshabalala at 082 979 0425 or the project coordinator at 082 789 5486.