Centre shifts focus to help women and children in need
“We realised the need and want to provide a safe environment for these abused and vulnerable women.”
Soul Outreach Community Upliftment Centre in Dalview is an NPO in need of help from the community. The organisation opened its doors three years ago, and its overnight shelter has been in operation for two years.
They strive to make a difference in the lives of the homeless and offer shelter and food, they also offer children counselling, Bible studies and development programmes.
There are 22 people at the shelter. Their weekly soup kitchen feeds masses of hungry people, and they also reach out to old age homes.
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The management team consists of co-founder and director Martina Stickling (44) and directors Cherryl Barnes (62) and Roberta de Villiers (51).
These women do everything in their power to help where they can.
Office administrator Michelle Stickling said the organisation strives for a clean and sober environment for all people.
“Soul Outreach was originally established to help lonely individuals. They need to realise they need guidance and a stable support system,” Michelle said.
The organisation recently received a donation of bricks and plans on turning their storeroom into suitable accommodation for women with children.
“We realised the need and want to provide a safe environment for these abused and vulnerable women. We want to open this shelter within the next few weeks, but we need some assistance with extra beds before doing so,” said Michelle.
The centre’s biggest dream is to provide more than one shelter and to have a children’s section where little ones can be safe and educated.
“We help anyone who wants to recover because, at the end of the day, you can only rely on yourself to heal. We are focusing more on women and children because the need on the street is more,” Michelle said.
The centre relies on donations to continue its operations and has appealed to the community for assistance.
Michelle can be contacted on 081 745 7182.
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