Mall of the South calls for support for Resthaven
Resthaven has been helping the community of the South for over four decades and now is your chance to give back.
You can make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate and Mall of the South is calling on the community to #helpthyneighbour this Mandela Day.
“When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep foe eternity.” – Nelson Mandela.
This Mandela Day, the Mall of the South, SOJO and other businesses in the South of Johannesburg are supporting Resthaven Orphanage and Old Age Home.
Resthaven has been in operation since 1979 when Val and Roy Saunders started serving soup from the boot of their car to help the less fortunate in Johannesburg’s southern suburbs.
Roy and Val progressed from these humble beginnings by initiating Resthaven Aids Baby Sanctuary, New Life Centre and Resthaven Places of Refuge, workshop and chapel.
Full board and accommodation are provided at the place of refuge for residents who have undergone rehabilitation to help these homeless men reintegrate into society.
Resthaven transformed an old school into a men’s hostel, protected workshops, stores, and a canteen. Residents helped in the kitchen, the workshops, and with various tasks.
Caring hands
Pensioners can enjoy discounted meals and recreational amenities at the New Life Centre.
Up to 10 infants with Aids are cared for 24 hours a day at the Resthaven AIDS Baby Sanctuary. These kids, who may or may not have HIV, were cared for while waiting to be adopted or placed in other infant homes.
As the years went by, the facilities evolved and changed into their current facilities. The Department of Education reopened the school in La Rochelle for learners in the area.
Resthaven now has three homes where they care for the elderly and children, one in La Rochelle called Jasmin House and two in Townsview called Camelia House and David House.
Currently, four elderly men and 11 elderly women live in Resthaven homes, 11 boys between the ages of eight and 17, and six girls between the ages of five and 17.
These children are cared for in a home where they live like a large family with three caregivers. They all attend various schools in the area, attend church, have extracurricular activities, and are involved in various mentoring groups to help them grow into well-adjusted adults.
The homes for the elderly provide beds, three meals a day and care from their faithful and loving staff.
Recreational activities are arranged, and some residents regularly attend exercise classes at New Life Centre.
At New Life Centre they also house the facility called Life Choices, where underprivileged pregnant women and girls in the community can seek support and counselling.
From the offices at New Life Centre, they also reach out to the poor and homeless in the community by serving soup and bread two days a week and providing food parcels where they can.
Hard times
Resthaven has made the painful decision to sell the property in La Rochelle due to the increasing costs of running the homes. They plan to renovate their office building at New Life Centre to accommodate at least five elderly men and women.
Resthaven is struggling to cover its electrical costs and is currently about R250 000 in arrears.
Sadly, the municipality is constantly threatening to disconnect them. This, together with the continual need for maintenance of the ageing buildings is becoming a huge challenge
Resthaven requires assistance with non-perishable groceries, cleaning agents, clothing, toiletries, bath and hand towels, pyjamas for kids, curtains, baking ingredients and equipment.
Other needs
Additionally, they have requested help with the following:
• Carport at Camelia
• Repairs to the veranda at Camelia House
• Repairs to the driveway at the children’s home
• Sanding of the floors in the children’s home
• Emergency lights and globes for their homes and night lights
• Printer
• Vacuum cleaner
• Yard brooms
• Workbench tools
This July, you can join Mall of the South to bring change to the lives of the less fortunate in the Joburg South community by dropping donations in the donation box at entrance two at Mall of the South.
Your involvement allows Resthaven to create a future for those in need in our community. Together we can make the world a better place and achieve change through the gift of giving.
Visit the website for Resthaven’s complete wish list, as well as social media to see all the incredible work on their Facebook page.
