The Gateway Village celebrates 50 years of existence but needs help to secure 50 more
Rizaan Farred leading effort to secure funding to keep the village alive
Born in St Gabriel’s Church in 1972, raised between Florida and Wilgespruit before coming of age in Ruimsig, The Gateway Village is now at the ripe old age of 50.
The non-profit which caters for the needs of the intellectually and physically challenged has survived everything thrown at them over the last half century, but the fallout from the global health panic of the last two years has taken the greatest toll.
Although subsidised by the Department of Social Development, private entities have been the biggest contributor to the success of the village over the years. These external gestures of generosity have dried up in recent times and through fundraiser Rizaan Farred, The Gateway Village has been on a mission to source funding that would secure the facility’s future.
Operating independently from The Gateway School, The Gateway Village caters for those 18 years and older. They currently have roughly 70 people living in eight houses scattered across the vast property which includes a fully staffed kitchen, a games room, three workshops and a high care facility that looks after the severely disabled patients. The Gateway Village offers support for those on the high and low functioning spectrum as well as those walking the line in between.
Operating such a sophisticated facility comes at a cost as rates and utilities alone total over R1m per year. The village also houses 13 welfare patients who require dedicated financial support, costing over R100 000 per month for everything from clothes to toiletries. Nine broken generators are in need of repairs as load-shedding aggravates many of the light-sensitive residents.
Debbie Brown has been associated with the school for 40 years and her son has passed through the school before taking up residence in the village.
“It is the most amazing community project to get involved with. Our residents have so much love to give,” said Debbie, who assists in one of the workshops that uses arts and crafts to stimulate the minds of the residents.
Rizaan has scoured the business landscape in search of financial support but progress has been slow. Ideally, she would appreciate a company adopting The Gateway Village as part of a corporate social development project, but stresses that any contributions to the village’s cause would be helpful. One positive is the reopening of their charity shop which has been closed for over two years. The charity shop is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and every last Saturday of the month at the same times.
Should a facility like The Gateway Village no longer be viable, the community would lose an important asset that supports those who would otherwise face a hopeless existence. Everyone can contribute in some way, whether it be through donations of daily needs or a service that may lighten the load. The generous may contact Rizaan at rizaan@gatewaysociety.co.za or on 011 958 1570.
