Put up a red post box for prayers in the community
A side-walk store was launched in November, giving the homeless the opportunity to choose clothing for themselves in a dignified manner
PHAROS Community Church, in association with Bodyflo Outreach, is taking caring for the homeless in Kempton Park to a whole new level.
With a variety of initiatives within the Kempton Park community, this group is giving the homeless their deserved dignity back.
The Hope@Pharos project was first launched in 2016. The initial thinking behind the project was to encourage the Kempton Park community to put up red, branded post-boxes in their streets as a platform for individuals and families in need, to submit prayer and other requests.
Community members can register their street by calling 011 972 1231 or email hope@pharos.me
By registering their street community, members commit to start praying for neighbours or friends in their neighbourhood. This can be done in various ways. Residents also become more visible and raise awareness of this special initiative by putting up a Red Hope@Pharos Postbox, which is obtainable from the Pharos Community Church.
The feedback has been very good and reflects the need for someone to “care”…. Life is made a little bit more bearable for some of these families, especially the homeless and needy within the community.
A side-walk store was launched in November, giving the homeless an opportunity to choose clothing for themselves in a dignified manner. Many prayed for the poor and fed the hungry. In fact 350 individuals were clothed, fed, shaved and prayed for at this side walk store.
The main purpose of the Hope@Pharos project is not only to serve the community, but the whole of South Africa eventually.
On May 23, Hope@Pharos hosted a special event for media partners as well as post-box “owners”, who paid a fee to put up a post-box in their street.
“The buy-in from all the individuals, families and business owners that attended the launch is phenomenal and we look forward to an even bigger and better side-walk store this year.”
Among the community members who attended the launch were Sgt Matsoku Johanna Madiga from Norkem Park SAPS, Dr Pieter Maré from AGS Betsaida, Brig Gen Elma de Villiers from the South African Airforce, André and Annatjie Gloy from Hoërskool Birchleigh as well as Nikiwe Dube and Gina Jacobs from the CPF.
The first annual side-walk store for 2017 will ‘be open’ at the Pharos Community Church in Birchleigh, on June 10. Clothing, blankets and food will be handed out. All are most welcome to attend this life-changing event.
Donations of any kind are of course more than welcome and can be delivered to the Pharos Community Church (6 Mooifontein Road), on weekdays from 9am to 3pm.
Specifically needed are clean second-hand towels, blankets and shoes.
Should you wish to become involved with this project, call Letitia van der Walt on 082 646 0969.
