A desperate telephone call by a mother whose son was threatening to commit suicide to Eldorado Park True Men’s Forum chairperson, Sebastian de Villiers, awoke within him and wife Lorna, a need to establish a sanctuary for women in the Eldorado Park community.
De Villiers succeeded in dissuading the man from committing suicide, but it highlighted just how much women in the community need a place of refuge where they can share their stories of anguish and get the support of other women experiencing similar issues.
The pair established Woman of Worth to cement the role of women as community builders and to empower them to realise their talents in an institutionalised, organised forum.
De Villiers says, “It has always been my wish to understand women and to make sure they are made aware of their worth. Our women have virtue, strength and tenacity and it is time we empower them, socially, economically and recognise their abilities and talents by institutionalising it so they can create a sustainable fair trade and become entrepreneurs.”
The group has grown to 25 members since it was established three months ago and meet every Tuesday evening from 7pm to 9pm at the de Villiers residence at 35 Roggeveld Street in Extension Two. Topics under discussion range from unemployment to domestic violence and ways in which their lives could be bettered.
A number of speakers have been hosted such as ward councillors Fazel Jaffer and Peter Rafferty as well as warrant officer Gretta Bessit from the Victim Empowerment Centre and Rhema Golden Highway senior pastors Derrick and Beryl van Rooyen.
Tunicia Phillips, KayaFM news presenter will be hosted on November 15 to share her journey and to provide more information to aspiring journalists about this field as a career path. Proceedings start at 7pm sharp, and interested residents are requested to contact Lorna de Villiers on 081 306 6647 for more information.
Please view the video to see the interaction.
