Ikhwezi not just for orphans
2007-10-04
THE Ikhwezi Community Centre between Wellington and Paarl is a hive of activity every day, serving especially the community of Mbekweni.
The centre is a beneficiary of the Paarl Post Christmas Fund, via the Western Cape Community Chest.
“The centre was established in 1986 to assist and empower disadvantaged women and underprivileged children in the Paarl, Mbekweni and Wellington area,” says centre manager Titus Hendricks.
Currently the Day Care centre looks after 40 children and plans are in the pipeline to increase the number to about 100.
Through their Aids Orphans Sponsorship programme, Ikhwezi places children who have lost their parents due to Aids, with other family members and supports them with food parcels, school fees and clothing.
But the centre offers much more, as a holistic centre serving the whole community.
“Different projects are taking place on an ongoing basis,” says Hendricks.
“Our Babathane project provides work for women who weave customised rugs on looms.
“Our garden is tilled by both men and women who produce vegetables for our soup kitchen through our Vukezenzele project.
“We create toys, intricate beadwork, decorative wirework, candles and pottery in Ikhwezi’s craft shop, and with our different workshops women add value to fabric with appliqué, embroidery, patchwork and crocheting.
“A dedicated team of women produce jams, pickles and chutneys in our kitchen to raise funds.”
With the differnt skills training workshops they offer, they have broadened their service to the community. This includes basic training in bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing and painting.
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