Mabopane NGO a ‘beacon of hope’ for the vulnerable
Mabopane NGO is aimed at developing lives of community members of Mabopane through skills development.
A Mabopane-based organisation has opened a home for unemployed youths and vulnerable women in the community.
Lesedi la Batho is a non-governmental organisation in block B which offers emotional support, counselling and basic skills training to residents.
For the past 11 years, the Christian faith-based NGO has lived up to its name, which means “light to the people” and has served the community in and around Mabopane.
Managing director Chrisna Groenewald said Lesedi la Batho ran numerous programmes which are free of charge, including a daycare centre for teenage mothers, entrepreneurial classes and computer literacy.
“Most of our beneficiaries do not value themselves; they might have never felt welcomed by the people who had to care for them,” said Groenewald.
“Some of these vulnerable people have never seen a person look at them with unconditional love or acceptance.”
“We want to help ease their burdens and make their lives better.”
She said their projects are aimed at providing opportunities for education, vocational training and alternative employment.
“We promote employment and health awareness programmes,” Groenewald told Rekord.
“We have achieved many successes in a short amount of time and with limited funding, one being job placements.”
Since 2014, the organisation had placed more than 370 people in jobs, including stock packers, general workers and jobs in retail.
Chief operating officer Mondo Mashilo said some of the beneficiaries have ventured into self-employment.
“We offer skills development such as sewing and beading,” said Mashilo.
“We prepare people for the working environment. After our beneficiaries have completed their training, we give them letters to do integrated learning.”
Teenage mother, Matshidiso Pokwane (19) from block B said that she was grateful to the NGO.
“I attend computer skills at Lesedi la Batho and I manage to also go to school while the centre takes care of my child,” said Pokwane.
“They have introduced me to an affordable college called iCollege. I commend them for their selfless deed.”
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