Reaching out to seafarers for 200 years
A commemmorative dinner was held at the Port of Richards Bay Mission to Seafarers
CELEBRATING 200 years of supporting and caring for an often forgotten group of people – seafarers – the Sailors’ Society on Sunday held a commemorative dinner, hosted by the Port of Richards Bay Mission to Seafarers.
What the Sailors’ Society Principal Chaplain in Durban, Rev Boet van Schalkwyk, thought would be a five minute affair, turned into a two-and-a-half hour fellowship among society members, Seafarer members and the visiting seafarers.
The food – a delicious breyani and dessert – was provided by Brackenham resident Margaret Singh.
A Christian charity supporting seafarers, the Sailors’ Society reaches out to seafarers where they work – on board cargo and cruise ships – and take them practical services such as phone cards to connect with loved ones at home, newspapers in a variety of languages and give them access to Wi-Fi hotspots.
While there is no Sailors’ Society representative in Richards Bay, the Richards Bay Mission to Seafarers graciously gave the society access to their facilities to celebrate this auspicious occasion.