Upliftment centre restores the dignity of homeless people of Krugersdorp West

While some people enjoy the privilege of taking a shower whenever they choose, this is regrettably not the situation for the most vulnerable members of the community.

The Grace House Upliftment Center recognised this need and its significance for individuals who are not in a position to routinely take a shower.

Many homeless persons from Krugersdorp West were welcomed to take a shower in the center’s mobile shower earlier in November. The occasion featured a braai, new clothes, a new haircut, and prayers from the congregation of Christian Faith Worship Center. This is a new initiative by the upliftment center.

“Today is the launch of the mobile shower project with all the clothes and shoes that were donated,” said Veronica Loupas from Christian Faith Worship Centre. Hendrik van Rooyen, who is described by Loupas as the brain behind the mobile shower, is one of the managers of Grace House Upliftment centre and gave the News a brief insight on why he started the project.

“The homeless people who come and receive food at the local shelter will bath in the sewers just down the road with the dirty water,” Van Rooyen said as he elaborated further that the project is about restoring dignity and hygiene because who does not feel good after having a shower.

Van Rooyen believes God spoke to him and instructed him to build a mobile shower after he put two of the office cabins together after obtaining them to use at the center so that people can store their clothes in them. The rest came along easily, as everything was sponsored.

“People heard that we wanted to create a mobile shower and donated to the cause.” This includes the trailer that is being used so that the mobile shower is truly mobile.

“Having the trailer tested so it can be considered roadworthy was also sponsored,” Van Rooyen continued.

The upliftment center intends to use the mobile shower successfully by going out every other day so that the homeless population in Krugersdorp West can take a routine shower. Van Rooyen emphasises that he wants the neighbourhood and nearby businesses to be more involved in this project and that it should expand to other communities.

“We would like to build more of these mobile showers for other communities such as Florida and Roodepoort and wherever the need may be.”

Councillor Mark Trump joined the event and shared that this initiative is one that is supported by the local council because this restores dignity in people. Councillor Trump emphasised that centres like Grace House Upliftment should strive to be sustainable, “Keeping things going and not just a once off,” he said.

“This trailer they [Grace House Upliftment centre] built is very specific. If there are other organisations who may feel compassionate about the vulnerable people on the street; Grace House Upliftment centre is ready to build these trailers for them, as they have worked out the costs,” he continued and also encouraged business to form part of these projects by becoming sponsors.

The mobile shower project is helping the homeless regain their dignity, find their feet, and reenter society with a more positive outlook. It has brought the community together.