New care centre equips children for the future

People who pass St John’s Care Centre on the R40 must be wondering about the new building being erected. It has been a dream of the sisters to have a centre where basic training in skills like sewing, arts and crafts, woodwork, cooking and computers, could be developed.

According to Sr Anece Salay, educational director, it was with the permission, understanding, and financial support of Bishop Joseph Sandri that they were able to engage in this endeavour.

Many of the children now attend public schools and are doing fine. However, there is another group of special-education-needs children who are not able to attend regular schools. Most of them, those attending school and those who are busy with home-schooling programmes, are able to learn a skill that will, hopefully, see them through life and provide them with a limited income.

“It is for this reason we are putting up this building. It will be a life-skills centre and a general education and study centre as well,” Salay said.
Some of the older children are already attending sewing classes that are presented by Sandy Ferrar on a regular basis.
Work on the building site started in February this year. It is progressing well, mostly because of the bishop’s international help and other donations. The building itself should be completed by October.

“We now face furnishing the rooms and providing a safe enclosure for this facility,” Salay added.
They appeal to businesses, clubs and community members who could assist.
“We need to furnish a small kitchen, and computer, art, sewing, craft and junior carpentry rooms. We also need chairs and tables for a large study area where the schoolchildren will do homework in the afternoons. An elevated playing area needs to be fenced and the building needs security doors and an alarm system.

Any help in this regard would be greatly appreciated.”
If you are able to assist please contact Salay on 082-092-6444 or Lynette Spencer on 082-473-1570.