Add hope to MES Kempton Park

MES Kempton Park’s mission is to provide social relief for those in need.The NPO hosted a media day on June 3 to show Kempton Express around its facilities and give the community a deeper look into its activities.

Their overall focus is around age groupings and interventions that provide generic services in terms of social work, health, outreach and spiritual programmes. Ranging from pre-schoolers, school children, youth and adults, these age groups are served through activities like after-school care, skills training for matric graduates, shelters and the GROW initiative.

In addition to providing a meal for a mere R5, they provide overnight shelter including a warm shower, bedding and washing facilities for R20.

MES Kempton Park branch manager Duane Edwards says they won’t turn people away for being under the influence of drugs or alcohol in search of a plate of food. However, they don’t grant such individuals a space in the shelter overnight for concerns over comfort and safety towards other shelter seekers.

“We have only one rule when providing food – pay, get food and be polite in an orderly fashion,” Edwards said.

MES offers after-school programmes to poor and vulnerable children seeking assistance with homework and preparations for their exams, in addition to a free meal. Running from Monday to Thursday, their facility can accommodate 25 children a day and currently assists 22 children on average at no cost to the community.

A food parcel project is included in their services in which 60 families receive monthly parcels.

Inclusive of children and elderly singles or couples, these families receive parcels that come with a range of helpful products, like powdered milk, potatoes, washing powder, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc.

According to Edwards, these are all made possible by sponsors, like KFC’s R2 for Hope donations.

MES requires official documentation in their strict application processes for individuals acquiring their help in terms of these parcels and the GROW project. In cases where foreign citizens seek help without possessing official documents, MES also offers the services of social workers who can assist such individuals in obtaining the necessary legal documentation.

Their GROW Job and Life Rehabilitation Programme offers daily workshops and spiritual enrichment programmes, along with paid shift opportunities, like recycling and gardening services.

Those working without proper identification may direct their money earned each day to the social worker for assistance.

If you wish to join in the spirit of giving, follow the winter hope initiative running the entire June. The project is launched by a nationwide multiple NGO partnering, in collaboration with MES.

The Winter Hope initiative seeks to donate warm clothing, shoes, thermal underwear, socks, beanies, gloves, scarves, a warm meal, a bed, blankets and non-perishable foods.

Follow Winter Hope on Facebook @winterhoop and Instagram @ give_hope_in_winter.