On the dusty streets of Vosloorus, Caroline Thabana would spend her childhood afternoons gathering up children loitering in the streets and ushering them to safer playgrounds.Jani de Beer

From the tender age of eight, she spent her afternoons caring for younger children, helping them with their schoolwork, and ensuring their safety.

Driven by a relentless desire to help others, Caroline founded Peniel: A Place of Encounter at her Dawn Park home in 2016, operating a weekly soup kitchen for people in her community living in hidden poverty.

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the loss of valuable sponsorships, Caroline was forced to make the heartbreaking decision to close the doors of her organisation.

Also Read: Cold drives growing demand at Boksburg soup kitchen

After a five-year hiatus and the insatiable desire to make a difference in the lives of the Dawn Park youth, Peniel’s doors once again swung open with a clear vision and the grit to make it happen.

“As the first member of our family to complete matric and move on to tertiary education, I realised that being empowered, I was able to make better decisions, thus changing the trajectory of my life,” she said while preparing food for the weekly soup kitchen.

“Today’s youth may be unemployed, but they have a shared wisdom, which if stimulated and fostered can engage their bright minds and lead them to productive and self-sufficient lives.”

Having converted Caroline’s double garage into a textile skills development workshop, the Peniel team are currently teaching eight youths skills which include knitting, sewing, beading and shoemaking.

A partnership is born
Reading through the weekly edition of Boksburg Advertiser recently, Caroline’s eyes fell on a photo of Advertiser staff covered in knitted items and urging the community to once again support the publication’s annual Winter Wool Drive.

“We are blessed with Johanna Nxumalo (Mama J), who has joined our ranks to share her knitting skills with willing learners,” she said.
“It was obvious to partner with the Winter Wool Drive to support our community while giving the students a goal to work towards.”

The Advertiser’s editor, Lana O’Neill, welcomed the collaboration, saying that it further extends the reach of the drive.

“Peniel will serve as an additional drop-off point for donations, such as wool, knitting needles and crochet hooks, as well as ready-made winter woollies,” she said.

“This partnership extends our reach tremendously. This will make a huge impact on an already successful community project and further ensure that those in need are able to access the donations that have been lovingly created.”

Empowering impact
Standing around a table, carefully placing patterns and cutting into fabric with skilled precision, Thando Lukhele, Katlego Rahlahane and her brother, Kamogelo, said the opportunity to tap into their creativity and learn clothes-making skills will set them on a path of pursuing careers within the fashion industry.

Under the tutelage of local seamster Vusi Makgorane, the trio is benefiting from his knowledge while he expands this business.

“I approached Caroline with a simple request – to use her facility and industrial sewing equipment to fulfil my orders,” Vusi explained.
“She only had one condition: in exchange for the use of the facility, I had to teach those interested in sewing. I was happy to oblige.”

As a former employee in the hospitality industry, Katlego came face-to-face with emotional exhaustion, teetering on the edge of collapse.

“I came to Peniel: A Place of Encounter, seeking an outlet, or in other words, a new skill that would create a fresh foundation for my life. Learning to sew and create has stitched my weary soul back together,” she said.
“I now dream of making clothes that are beautiful, functional, and fit like a glove.”

Armed with pins, Kamogelo is working on designs for chic yet well-fitting men’s apparel.
“I love shoes and have already designed and made a pair for myself. None of that would have been possible without Vusi and Peniel,” said Thando.

“Watch this space! I may soon be producing quality kicks that every Dawn Parker would like to don.”

Sitting in the sun, Noluthando Katse listens to the youths chatter while quietly slipping and looping, effortlessly crocheting a beanie.

“It took one afternoon for Mama J to teach me to crochet. I will be using this new skill to generate an income for my family,” she said.

Building on a vision
“I want Peniel to grow into a place where the community can encounter support as well as their potential,” said Caroline.

“Since reopening in June, we have systematically made a selection of items such as sports golf shirts, bags and corporate wear which can be made to order.
“Beaded jewellery has also been assembled, which we sell at local markets.
“These revenue streams will ultimately fund the expansion of the organisation while continuously teaching youths skills.”

Research is also currently being done to have its skills development projects accredited, thus affording learners the opportunity to attain certification.

“I would further love to establish a flourishing vegetable garden to sustain the soup kitchen and would like to incorporate the service of a social worker to offer further support and guidance to all who come through our gates,” Caroline said.

“As a faith-based organisation, I want to see our beneficiaries forging friendships built on shared experience and creating paths to lead them to live successful lives.”
Peniel is located at 36 Schatchat Crescent, Dawn Park.

Weekly roster:
• Monday – knitting
• Tuesday and Thursday – sewing
• Wednesday – soup kitchen
• Friday – beading
For more information, to get involved or support them with donations contact Siphesihle Nwogu on 079 306 5658 or Bibi Mbalo on 067 810 9371.
Alternatively, email penielencounter@outlook.co.za

Also Read: #WinterWoolDrive: Bring us your knitting needles, crochet hooks