Tshepang Care Centre needs assistance
"When I started it was difficult to feed the children on a daily basis, as we did not have enough funds."
One of Tembisa’s non profit organisations, the Tshepang Care Centre, was formed for the care and love of vulnerable and orphaned children from around the Vusimuzi Informal Settlement.
Ms Sarah Sibiya, the founder of the Tshepang Care Centre, said her aim was to feed the children lunch every day after school.
“When I started it was difficult to feed the children on a daily basis, as we did not have enough funds, even though the community and ward councillor were supportive. The councillor helped by providing the open space that was initially used as a dumping site for the residents nearby. Community members, together with volunteers, also helped to identify some families that were most in need,” said Ms Sibiya.
Ms Sibiya said when the centre started she was fostering a young boy who is currently 19 years old.
“Our first intake was 30 children. We could only feed them with breakfast and lunch every Saturday. We are also feeding unemployed parents, who come in with empty stomachs looking for food. It was hard for everyone, but we persisted until we managed to get sponsors. Vusimuzi residents are challenged with a high unemployment rate,” said Ms Sibiya.
Ms Sibiya said the centre has grown and is currently catering for 150 children, aged from two up to 19 years of age.
“We are even able to feed them on a daily basis, thanks to those who are supporting us. I am working with six volunteers in order to sustain the centre. We are still appealing to local business people to help sponsor the centre,” said Ms Sibiya.
The Tshepang Care Centre was formed in April 2013.
For more information, contact Ms Sarah Sibiya on 082 720 3732 or Ms Patience Ramashaba on 073 924 8929.
