Methodist Church fostering social cohesion
This noble initiative shows that a church has a role to play in uplifting and providing support for the needy families.
The Methodist Church of Southern Africa’s Young Men’s Guild is not only about men of God; they are also fostering social cohesion within the communities they live in.
As part of the church’s social outreach programme, the Mogale Circuit’s Young Men’s Guild (YMG) took time off from their church schedule to paint the five-roomed house of a needy family. They also cleaned the yard and donated groceries and blankets. This divine event took place during the weekend of 20 and 21 August, at the family’s home in Kagiso.
The YMG, clad in red overalls, painted the house in- and outside, giving it a new lease on life. David Makoko, the YMG vice-president, said he had identified the house and the living conditions of the occupants and reported it to the forum.
“Every time I passed that house I was deeply touched by the situation and the living conditions of the occupants. Moreover, the occupants happened to be members of our church. I reported the matter to the group, and we then decided to help the family,” David said.
“I’m very pleased that as a church we managed to assist the family. This noble initiative shows that as a church we have a role to play in uplifting and providing support for the needy families where we live,” he added.
The church’s pastor, Reverend Sello Pelefane, said: “I’m very happy that as a church we are giving back to our community, and the Young Men’s Guild is taking the lead in that respect. We hope that the family will cherish our efforts as well as the gifts that we have brought them.”
Gogo Mary Maluleka, accompanied by her son Alfred, could not contain her happiness and said: “I’m over the moon and cannot express my joy about the blessings that I have received from the church members. I hope God blesses them in their programmes, and pray that they continue assisting other families as well.”
The YMG have carried out similar projects in areas such Munsieville, where they donated groceries and blankets to the community. The church’s women’s section, Women Manyano and Young Women Manyano, also took part in the process.
