ROSETTENVILLE – Advocate Mancha Manaka (chairman of the executive committee) welcomed everyone to the 111th AGM and thanked them for their presence and then the children from the home entertained everyone, which had the guests enthralled.
Advocate Manake said in his report, “Another milestone has been reached and we keep the flag flying high without negativity. An eventful year has come and gone and St Mary’ s remains intact and raring to continue into yet another year with the quest and hope for improved service delivery to the children.”
Treasurer, Phil Geyer, stressed his gratitude to God for bringing all the stakeholders, namely their valued donors, dedicated staff led by director Sonja Harmse and all the executive committee who have together provided facilities, resources and love so dearly needed by the children. “ As in every home, we require large amounts to maintain or upgrade our facilities let alone the running costs relating to the schooling and raising of our children. As part of our fund raising activities towards such costs, we continue with our campaign to encourage contributors to ‘adopt’ a child on a monthly basis. We believe that a regular monthly receipt per child could be more manageable for some donors .”
Sonja Harmse, director of St Mary’s said, “In last years’ report I highlighted the main, devastating consequences, if we cannot go forward and lack the resources we will be forced to close our doors. At times this year we only had our faith to rely on, funding was scarce and the needs as well as the requests and urgency to admit more children in need was huge.
“ My plea to you, businesses, private individuals and leaders of faith, to become part of a group of people (a sub-committee) that has to find and implement a project this coming year, to ensure sustainability in the long run.
“Our children need your tender loving care, treats, essentials and assistance to take these steps to a better future. Thank you and God Bless.”
The evening was rounded off with all the guests invited to visit the children’s cottages, where refreshments were served and the children had time to spend a short while chatting to them.
