Restoring dignity and hope
“People are battling to survive. Today, I felt like a queen after a nice shower. Sometimes, we do not even have water to clean ourselves,” she said.
Pretoria-based NPO StreetShower joined forces on Saturday morning with volunteers and other organisations to restore dignity to the homeless and needy people of Brakpan.
StreetShower is a mobile shower-serving station that reaches out to the homeless and destitute and aims to help people who have become forgotten by society.
The event was organised by CHB Community Upliftment Centre in Brakpan. Brakpan Primary School made its school’s sports fields available where a host of services were provided.
These included haircuts, counselling, CV-writing services, foot washing, serving of hot meals and drinks, and a shower.
ALSO READ: How agents decide on the selling price of your property
The homeless stood in a queue outside the school and small groups were admitted at a time where they were given a hot shower and new clothes.
They were also treated to a nourishing meal and cups of hot coffee. Volunteers prepared pancakes. People were also available to minister to those in need of gospel guidance and counselling.
Arc Crusaders, which operates in Brakpan and Springs, treated each person. They checked each person’s vitals and if they had any wounds or sores and they were cleaned and dressed accordingly. They also dispensed vitamins.
Formally called Ultimate EMS, Arc Crusaders provides advanced first responders to all medical trauma cases and house calls to the community voluntarily at no charge.
Those who attended on the day were also offered professional CV writing and printing services to help them find employment and get them off the streets.
ALSO READ: Breastfeeding has many advantages for both baby and mother
A 49-year-old man who has been living on the streets for the past three years was grateful after receiving a printed copy of his CV.
“I have never been treated so nicely in my entire life,” he said.
“Now I have a CV, I am going to look after it with my life. It is precious to me. I will use it to try to find a job. People will now believe me when I look for a job. God brought these people to Brakpan today.”
A 29-year-old mother of two told the Herald that she was facing very tough times.
“People are battling to survive. Today, I felt like a queen after a nice shower. Sometimes, we do not even have water to clean ourselves,” she said.
A total of 110 people benefitted from the services provided.
