Local church reaches out to community during lockdown
The church works closely with the Tumelong Mission, which is a non-profit, public benefit organisation focusing on community development.
The St Francis of Assisi Anglican Church and Waterkloof Community Action Network (CAN) launched an outreach programme during Covid-19.
CAN is a Covid-19 community response programme, which falls under the Gauteng Together Initiative.
“We are offering services and help in these difficult times to anyone who could use a little,” Diana Higgs from the church said.
CAN was started in Cape Town, at the start of the lockdown, by a group of concerned citizens who wanted to do something for people in communities that would be suffering during this time.
“It has subsequently become part of the Gauteng Together Initiative and is supported by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. It has recently become a part of the landscape in Pretoria, to ready our communities for the inevitable spread of Covid-19,” Higgs explained.
For now, CAN is focusing on areas in the east of Pretoria such as Brooklyn, Waterkloof, Monument Park, Garsfontein, Menlyn, Nieu Muckleneuk, Groenkloof and Hatfield. As time goes, they would like to reach more areas around Pretoria.
“We would love to reach as many families as possible, but this depends on how much assistance we receive from the wider community,” Higgs said.
CAN offers assistance to the community such as:
– Spiritual support, where priests Father Meshack Mariri and Father Julian Kok will be on hand to help people find spiritual peace and comfort.
“Our parish offers such courses as The Alpha Course, Bible study (cell groups) and other spaces in which people can meet Jesus.”
– Guidance and counselling. The church has counsellors who will provide initial guidance and counselling as the need arises. Many people just need a sounding board or someone to talk to – there are many lonely people out there.
– Care packages. St Francis currently supports 40 families in Shoshanguve and Winterveld with the Fill-A-Bag project, which is managed by Tumelong Mission.
“We are looking to grow this project. We are also aware of folk who live in Waterkloof who are in dire straits financially and in need of basic things. We also want to reach them,” Higgs said.
– Grief counselling. With this, the church will help facilitate finding the right people to support anyone wanting assistance with this.
“In this time of social distancing and limited numbers at funerals, losing a loved one, or having a loved one in the hospital and not being able to visit them or be visited yourself is very traumatic. We want people to know that we are there for them, to help in any way we can, even if it is a telephone call to say we care.”
– Fellowship. At the moment we have several WhatsApp groups which provide fellowship and support during these difficult times. As well as this we share church services online. The church also gives Bible study online.
– Basic needs. The church will have a collection point for non-perishable goods, clothes, blankets and toiletries which will be distributed into the community as and when required.
– Assistance with grocery shopping or medical supplies. They help people who cannot drive themselves.
The church works closely with the Tumelong Mission, which is a non-profit, public benefit organisation focusing on mission and community development.
People can help the church help others by donating the following:
– Blankets and mattresses
– Clothes preferably washed and folded, specifically men’s size 34-38 (winter)
– Items for our regular Fill-A-Bag food parcels
– Non-perishable foods
– Homemade frozen soup
– Financial support
– Assistance in packing and collecting items
Higgs said that items will go to Tumelong or anywhere there is a need that is brought to their attention.
Anyone who wants to assist may contact the church on 012-346-1106 or email StFrancisOutreach2020@gmail.com
or di@radiantafrica.com
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