Centre will bring hope to the needy
2005-03-09
STREETCHILDREN and other homeless people are becoming an ever bigger concern throughout Paarl and very few facilities and even fewer funds are available to tackle these problems.
Unemployment is a major concern and alcohol and substance abuse are on the increase. Rape and child abuse are common crimes, while HIV/Aids is a daily worry.
The police have limited facilities when it comes to accommodating victims of crime.
It is into this breach that the Paarl Rotary Club and the Salvation Army have stepped, joining forces to build a Community Care Centre to assist people, mainly children and women, in taking the first steps to overcome their setbacks.
A double storey centre is to be erected next to the Salvation Army chapel in central Paarl.
It will include consulting rooms, accommodation and catering facilities for both overnight and longterm visitors, workrooms and a thrift shop to help sustain the project once it is operational.
It is the Rotary Club’s aim to raise the estimated R2,5 million needed to construct the centre, while the Salvation Army will be tasked with running it on behalf of the community.
The Rotarians have already raised a sizeable amount towards this goal.
Plans have been drawn up for the centre that is to be built on the same property where the Salvation Army’s chapel and pastorage are located in Breda Street and the corner stone was unveiled recently.
Creating an island of hope in a sea of despair, poverty and abuse. This was the dream of Captain Nicky Dickinson, former minister of the Paarl Salvation Army.
This dream is now being carried forward by Major Graham Brooke-Smith.
For further information related to the project or to make a contribution, contact Rotarians Chubby Howell at tel/fax 869-8066 or email chubby@donkerhoek.co.za; or Marc Friederich at 863-3980 or chezmarc@mweb.co.za.
In recognition of significant donations of R1000 or more, a plaque with the donor’s name will be placed on a wall of honour.
Companies or individuals offering R100 000 or more, will have a wing named in their honour.
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