Shelter for 40 displaced at Rosebank Union Church
HURLINGHAM – Rosebank Union Church has provided temporary shelter for forty displaced men during the lockdown period.
Forty displaced men have been sheltered at Rosebank Union Church in Hurlingham since 9 April.
Many of the men were living on Hamilton Avenue, just outside the church, before the lockdown while others were welcomed in from areas including Linden or even as far as Krugersdorp.
Senior pastor at the church Richard van Lieshout said, “We realise that this is a humanitarian crisis and if we can help, we should. These men are our neighbours and we want to assist them. It is our desire as a well-resourced church to make a difference in our city.”
Van Lieshout added that church member Shalene Selkirk approached the church with the idea a few weeks ago and they were happy to help.
Selkirk, who runs non-profit organisation Fountain for the Thirsty joined hands with other organisations including We Build Shelters and Saints South Africa to combine resources and skills to assist with the shelter.
“Initially, provincial government wanted to use schools to house the homeless, but that fell through. We then suggested facilities at car parks, but that wasn’t approved and then they said that they would sign off on churches,” said Selkirk.
She explained that a team of workers has been employed to cook, assist with activities and care for the men.
Those in the shelter are given three meals a day, mattresses to sleep on in the church hall, hot showers, flushing toilets and a variety of activities to keep them occupied during the day.
When the Sandton Chronicle visited the site on 15 April, the men were observed packing food parcels for Rays of Hope, playing soccer, reading books and playing cards. The church also arranged Easter services and other talks for the men during their stay.
Selkirk explained, “Many of these men are not jobless, just homeless. Many of them are used to working and providing for their families and most are eager to get back to work and feeding their families.”
Selkirk said all the men had signed forms stating that this accommodation was temporary and they would need to find alternative accommodation following the lockdown.
If you are able to assist these men in any way following the lockdown, please email Shalene on info@fountainforthethirsty.org
