Pioneer Candlemakers Awarded with Certificates
PARKTOWN NORTH – The Vuka Lighthouse project initiated by the Parktown Methodist Church awarded Certificates to its first-ever trio of inductees.
The Parktown North Methodist Church conducted a certificate hand-over ceremony in honour of their first-ever trio of trained candle makers.
The three girls from Itireleng Ikageng AIDS Ministry enrolled for a six-week training session with Sam Maluleke, a professional candle maker. “I call these girls my triplets and I have only taught them the basics of candle-making,” Maluleke said at the ceremony on 26 April.
In its inception by the project manager and founder, Adele Hopkins, sixteen years ago, the Vuka Lighthouse project was exclusive to church members. However, late last year they decided to enrol the three girls from the Ikageng Ministry.
Reverend Vusi Vilakati who is the church minister said, “We are proud of these girls who will use their talent and skills to light the world just like the image of a lighthouse in our church which shines in the rest of Parktown.”
Koketso Thinane, one of the three inductees, said she initially thought it was boring but further into the six weeks training she started to enjoy herself. Mapaseka Mosila added to her colleague’s words and expressed her dreams to open a business with the help of a potential sponsor.
Head of Ikageng Ministry Carol Dyantyi said, “Impact a girl and you impact the whole society. When you buy a candle you’re lighting up hope for these children and we hope to reach more than a thousand children with this programme.”
Dyantyi explained that her organisation is non-governmental and provides services and support to children affected in any form including HIV/Aids. They see girls as the most vulnerable and susceptible to exploitation by older men for financial gain, thus such projects, seek to give girls the opportunity to empower themselves and take a different path.
The church appealed to community members to assist with recycling material such as wax, crayons and bottle tops urgently in order to make quality candles.
Details: Parktown North Methodist Church 011 442 8859; Ikageng Itireleng Aids Ministry 011 536 2278.
If you are embarking on similar inspirational projects share your story with us at @RK_Gazette
Related articles:
FNB and Parktown North Methodist Church make 3 young women’s dreams come true
