Psalm91 Soul Recover sees increase in need among community
The rehabilitation services they provide along with poverty relief continues to become more strained.
Psalm91 Soul Recovery, a ministry-based organisation working with the community and Rata Social Services, has noticed an increase in need in the community, from housing to rehabilitation and counseling, to food distribution.
According to Magda van der Merwe, a pastor for Psalm91, their shelter is currently full, and she has opened up her own home to accommodate more people.
Initially, the shelter was just for homeless pensioners, but it has expanded to accommodate women, families and single parents.
While there, the inhabitants are kept busy with cooking and distributing food among other things, and they are given spiritual help, counseling and, if needed, work through a rehabilitation programme for substance abuse.
The shelter has a counselor, and a South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) representative helps on weekdays from 08:00 to 16:00 with rehabilitation efforts. Supporting Psalm91 is Katinka Myburg, a counselor for Rise Above Fear, and Nonza Manzana from Eshkol Grace.
Yolandie Wheeler is another member of the group who works with the children they serve, providing counseling and therapy.
In addition to the high demand for safe housing, there is an increasing need for food in town, with Psalm91 providing food at Rata’s offices twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Fortunately, they have major sponsors for this soup kitchen, namely Perry’s Plus on Mondays and a church on Wednesdays, but feeding the shelter residents can get difficult, and the weekly soup kitchen beneficiary numbers are increasing.
With the VAT increase and rampant inflation, it’s no surprise that more and more people can’t afford to put food on the table. Sometimes, when there’s food left over from the shelter, it’s used to stretch the soup kitchen supply.
A few of the elderly residents at Tweedy Park also receive food, as well as a few families that collect food in the afternoons.
Current needs for the shelter are paint, help with electrical work and general maintenance. Magda also hopes to one day add two more dormitories to the property, but for this a new ablution block and two JoJo tanks will be necessary.
Those interested in more information or who wish to contribute to the work done by Psalm91 Soul Recovery, can contact Magda on 071 596 0344.
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