Love, care and happiness is not a reality for everyone

MBOMBELA – Helping those in need is an endless task. The local Christian Social Council (CSC) offers social services to the entire community.

CSC aims to promote human dignity and improve the circumstances in which people live. The council raises funds which enable it to perform these services, and have set up a white-elephant stall at the Oewersig Boeremark.

“We take it for granted that parents marry and live happily ever after,” explained admin officer, Leonie Broodryk. “They have children who grow up in one home. One day when they finish school, they study further or get a job and start their own life by choice. This is how a normal family setup would look, but for some children this is not the reality. Their only wish is for a family to care for them as long as possible, even if it is just two years.”

CSC’s services reach far. Social workers are involved in the full-time care and protection of children. They also place minors who have been orphaned as a result of HIV/Aids in foster care, assist the elderly to apply for grants, assist families with living arrangements, and even offer marriage counselling and enrichment programmes.

The council offers preventative and supportive programmes on alcoholism, substance abuse, crime and HIV/Aids. In the interim, food parcels, blankets and clothes are always in demand for needy households.

It estimated that 880 children and parents who needed services last year. The CSC further aims to contribute to the prevention of welfare situations and to release people from the grip of poverty by assisting them to become financially independent. Yet the council itself is dependent on the support of the community.

“Any amount allocated to CSC will be welcomed and accepted. Upon receiving funding from your organisation/business, we will give quarterly feedback on the progress of services rendered,” said Broodryk. “We are able to issue a 18A certificate for tax purposes.”

Mbombela and surrounding areas were recently redivided between service organisations CSC, SAVF and Child Welfare.

“We cannot always go to every case that is reported to us, but we work closely with Child Welfare and SAVF,” said Magda Streuders, a CSC social worker. “This ensures that the right organisation keeps control over the case in a specific area. It is against our ethical code to take over a case that is handled by another organisation.”

The CSC Nelspruit office is now situated at the NCF building, at 36 Brander Street. Enquiries: Leonie Broodryk on 013-752-4842 or cmrnelspruit2@cmroos.co.za.

CSC: 013-752-4842

Ngodwana, families of children in Clivia School and Rainbow Kids. The Rest, Claremont, Mabalel, Schagen N4, Mbombela until Penryn College turn-off, Barberton Road until just before Hilltop, all NG Kerk members. Riverside Park, Riverside Industrial Park, Vintonia, Matumi Golf Estate, Mbombela: Ext 10, Ext 14, Ext 17. Sonheuwel: Ext 8, Ext 4, Ext 6, Ext 19, Ext 29, Ext 37. Belmonte, Kiaat, Kloofsig, Heuwelsig, Klapperkruin, Dykrus, Bateleur Estate, SA Prudential Citrus Est and Maggiesdal.

SAVF: 013-752-6241

Hermansburg, Kaapsehoop Road, Kaapsehoop, Mount Olive turn-off, Schoemanskloof, Sudwala, Barvale, Hilltop, all old-age home screenings, all Gereformeerde Kerk members. West Acres: Ext 4, Ext 5, Ext 6, Ext 7, Ext 8, Ext 13, Ext 14, Ext 16, Ext 17, Ext 20, Ext 32, Ext 50. CBD Ext 17. Stonehenge, Stonehenge Ext 1. Lakeview and Mataffin.

Child Welfare: 013-753-3330

Valencia, Nelsville, KaMagugu, N4 until Mara turn-off (including Croc Valley), N4 until Hall & Sons. Mataffin, Boschrand, Community work in Luphisi, Msogwaba and Daantjie area. West Acres: Ext 1, Ext 2, Ext 3, Ext 24. Sonheuwel: Ext 1, Ext 2, Ext 5, Ext 9, Ext 13, Ext 21, Ext 27. CBD Ext 7. Vintonia: Ext 3, Ext 8, Ext 12, Ext 18. Valencia Park, Nelindia and Kiepersol.

Department of Social Development: 013-755-4036

Karino, Ngodwana (excluding clients of CSC), N4 to Malalane until before Croc Valley, and all areas not mentioned above.

• Donations of clothing are always welcome as requests from those in need are endless
• If you are not sure which area is covered by whom, phone anyway, and the right people will be notified
• After hours, phone Capt Adriaan Odendaal on 082-772-2120
• The CSC needs a gazebo to borrow for its stall at the boeremark – it would be happy to carry branding or hand out business cards of any business willing to assist.