The Independent Order of True Templers (IOTT), an organisation under the umbrella of Methodist church based in Zone seven did their bit of good when the to put smiles on the faces of the children at Golden Ark Children’s Home today.
The organisation donated some food parcels from their own pockets, clothes and some money to the children registered at the home after being introduced to them in a church service where some of the children were baptised for the first time.
“We regularly help the closest children around our church that are in the schools; but this time, we are here in Orlando West, because we were touched by their stories,” said Irene Mchunu, grand superintendent of the Battle of Horab.
The home is an aftercare programme that is dedicated to taking care of children that come from destitute families.
It initially was a vandalised building, but after proposing to open this home to the City of Johannesburg (COJ), Isaac Padi and Martin Moloto were able to open this home it in 2006.
Currently, the home has 160 children that are registered in their database, all coming in before and after school for a meal and for further homework assistance that volunteers their time to the children.
“We cannot begin to express our deepest gratitude to the members of the church especially the IOTT, for what they brought to us here at the Mzimhlophe for our children with all these parcels they brought,” said Padi, chairman of the home.
The children embraced their parcels in excitement, without the expectation of receiving anything more than the care and meals they already received from the caregivers of the home.
“Our kids are so excited, I hope God blesses them for the good work they are doing in the community,” said Moloto, manager of the home.
IOTT hopes to spread their initiative throughout Soweto and to pray for any more families that neglect taking care of their children.
Padi said that Golden Ark will be open during the holidays to keep the children busy and away from the streets, from Monday – Friday.
They hope one day that the COJ can release the building to them so they can run it on their own.
“ To all the parents who neglect their children we want to let you know that a child is a God-given gift, and all children need to be taken care of, regardless of whether they are your blood relative or not,” said Moloto.
