Beneficiaries of a local NPO receive services
The organisation currently only shelters homeless men who are aged 18 to 59.
A local non-profit organisation hosted a community blitz exhibition in Akasia on March 14.
For over a decade, The Life Changing Project in Akasia, north of Pretoria has provided shelter to the homeless.
The organisation invited stakeholders such as Pretoria North Clinic, SANCA Ninapark, Old Mutual, Outreach Foundation and Thandanani Drop Inn Centre to render their services to the residents at the shelter.
Social worker Jeanette Mahlangu said that the event was a community outreach programme for other stakeholders to recognise the organisation.
The Life Changing Project was founded by Tebogo Sehlwane in October 2013.
According to project manager Tebogo Mpufane, the project seeks to respond to the needs of community members, and those experimenting with drugs to prevent more serious intervention.
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“We are sheltering predominantly homeless men, aged 18 to 59.”
The project was opened by Sehlwane after seeing that the needs of men are not listened to and have nowhere to go,” said Mpufane.
The organisation is 75% funded by the Department of Social Development and monthly donations by members.
Mpufane said his main goal is to ensure that the shelter is running smoothly.
“We have over 60 beneficiaries who are working under the EPWP programme in Tshwane.
We have also done a lot of things such as reuniting over 100 people with their families and have helped many beneficiaries finish their matric,” he said.
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Mpufane said he meets with stakeholders who will help with skills development for the residents of the shelter even though the project lacks community involvement.
“We urge the community to be involved with the organisation to help us build a substance-free environment.
“By helping each other, we can eradicate drugs and substance abuse and we can build a safer society where everyone can share informative ideas.”
Mpufane urged local businesses to partner with them.
“Now the biggest challenge we have is transportation, we have one vehicle which must accommodate our beneficiaries and social workers to and from their appointments,” he said.
Mahlangu added: “We seek to also have a women’s homeless shelter and to grow in other provinces.
“People must come to see The Life Changing Projects with their own eyes and see what we are all about so that they can know when and how to help.”
*Please note this article has been amended
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