Farewell Isabel
SANDTON – Sandton Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) vice-chairperson Isabel Ferreira bids farewell.
The Sandton Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) bid farewell to their long-standing vice-chairperson Isabel Ferreira at the annual year-end breakfast on Saturday, 2 November.
Every year the volunteers, members and management gather to celebrate the achievements of the unit. But for most this year, it was a teary goodbye to a friend, a leader and a partner who has been with the programme for over 14 years. Emcee for the breakfast, Alexia Thomson said, “It is a sad goodbye for Isabel, who has made an enormous and significant impact on VEP.”
Thomson thanked Ferreira her for her guidance, courage and passion.
A tearful Ferreira said, “I’m leaving a piece of my heart with each of you.”
She first heard about the programme from an article asking for volunteers in the Sandton Chronicle. The many years she has spent with the programme has made an amazing difference in her life. “I learned so much from the victims I counselled, friendships that will last me for a lifetime. I did not join the VEP for healing but healing has very much been a part of it.”
The Victim Empowerment Programme operates out of the Sandton Police Station in Morningside and is made up of a dedicated team of volunteers who give their time, compassion and energy by offering free counselling to people who have been at the receiving end of crime.
The Sandton Police Station, the Sandton Victim Empowerment Programme and the Sandton Community Police Forum (CPF) work closely together to assist and support victims of crime. The programme includes trauma counselling to victims of rape and domestic violence and also assists those who have suffered trauma as a result of witnessing a crime.
Sector 2 chairman and community police forum vice-chairman Rob Cumming said, “We all depend on people like you, to build and make a successful society. We at the CPF are amazed by your laughter and joy, that is what we need in South Africa.”
Would you like to volunteer? Call the Sandton Victim Empowerment Programme on 082 774 7564.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/220431/sandton-victim-empowerment-seeks-new-volunteers/
