Broken Wings needs you

ALBERTON – Broken wings is a daycare organisation that was founded in 1989 by Lettie Bardane and Maureen Ansett for adults with disabilities.

Members spend their days having fun and crafting using paint brushes, mosaic tiles, colouring pencils and acrylic paints.

The organisation has 35 volunteers and one bus driver who drives to Eden Park, Thokoza and around Alberton to transport the people they must look after during the day.

Keeping the organisation alive is a great challenge. Broken Wings would be delighted to have more volunteers as they are sometimes in need of extra hands.

Broken Wings has two buses but only one driver because it would not be possible to afford to pay two drivers every month.

The organisation needs R35 000 to survive every month, but acquiring the amount is difficult as they do not have any big name sponsors or government funding.

Broken wings raise funds and receive small, but very important donations from people who see and acknowledge their struggle.

They know it is not easy for people to give them money, they think is would be best if people could come and say: “I will pay you electricity bill or any of your bills this month.”

The environment is beautiful and safe, although maintaining it is not child’s play.

They would be happy if they could have at least one handy man who comes to helps them once a week, because they have leaking pipes that need to be attended to by an expect.

“We need new people with new ideas to come and help us keep this organisation going. We do all our fund raising, we would definitely appreciate and welcome as much help as we can get.

“We are still in need of heaters, a fridge, volunteers, paving, carports, computers, printers and copiers, paper and ink, a garden revamp, air conditioning, a ZOZO-container, electric fencing, an industrial gas stove, plastic chairs, sandwich toasters, washing line and urn,” said Center Manager Marietjie Stols.

“It is not right for a disabled person to spend the whole day at home doing nothing. That is why this organisation is important and should continue. Broken Wings gives takes them and put them around other people so that they can have friends.

“Imagine how horrible it is for that disabled child who stays at home while his or her parents are at work. They are people, they need to be around other people and keep busy,” said Heather Wood, who has been volunteering for 15 years.

Broken wings is located at 15 Glen Albyn Street, Raceview, Alberton 1450. Their vision is to become an organisation which serves all disabled adults and their families within their walls, with dignity and humility.

People who wish to make donations can contact Stols at 011 869 3415 or 0837499199 or attend their fund day on Wednesday September 24 or their fun day on Saturday June 28.