Crisis centre needs help
2007-11-08
THE Island of Hope Crisis Centre in Paarl is drawing increasing numbers of needy and abused children, but is facing some new challenges.
For the past six months the numbers of children at the shelter, erected with the help of Paarl Rotary, has increased from three to seventeen.
Says Major Naomi Malinga, pastor of the Salvation Army in Paarl: “This is a challenging time now for the centre, because we are getting more needy children, and funding is limited.
“At the moment we would appreciate it if people can donate crockery and furniture to sell in our shop in order to have money to sustain the centre.
“We are also looking for new staff, a driver and cook, and would really appreciate it if it could be on a volunteer basis, due to a lack of funds.”
Malinga said that two of the kids will be fostered by an organisation and some of them will be fostered by families.
“We keep the children for at least three months and then through the department of Social Developement, we organise foster care for them.”
The ages of the kids range from one year old to eighteen years old.
“The eighteen-year-old has a baby of her own who is also at the centre now.
“Some of the children are at school and some are getting life skills training during the day,” said Malinga.
Says Gail Henry, the care giver who is also a Youth Development Worker: “They get one-on-one counselling sessions and group sessions, to really just build themselves back again into society.”
She is planning a Christmas party for the kids.
“This will be the first Christmas party that we will have for kids at the centre. We would really appreciate it if people can contribute towards the party in any way possible,” Henry said.
Anyone who is interested to make a contribution towards the centre or the Christmas party, can call Naomi Malinga at 082-408-2409 or Gail Henry at 021-872-6032.
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