Donation provides opportunity for recovering drug addicts to broaden skills
An embroidery machine worth R260 000 can help drug addict beneficiaries and the community as part of a skills development programme.
The mission of the Thandanani Drop Inn Centre in Mamelodi to support recovering drug addicts with skills development and employment opportunities has reached a new level.
This follows after the centre recently received an embroidery machine worth R260 000 to serve as part of a skills development programme for drug addict beneficiaries and the community.
Kate Kekana from the centre said the generous donation of the machine was made by Thai Summit Autoparts Industry South Africa, which bought the machine overseas last Thursday.
She said the machine would also provide and uplift the youth, the homeless, and centre staff with skills to start their own businesses.
“At the moment we are busy training drug addicts who are benefiting from the centre, as well as helping them not to relapse and go back to doing drugs.”
Kekana said besides training the embroidery machine is doing very well for the centre, as clients are coming to support the business.
“The machine is also a source of income, and we are able to sustain programmes that we are running because they are not all funded,” she said.
Thandanani Centre also supports vulnerable members of the community by facilitating their reintegration into the community and restoring their dignity.
Thabo Kgotsi from the centre said for the past 13 years, the organisation has been serving the community by providing essential services. These include nutritional support, counselling, family reunion celebrations, referrals to rehabilitation centres, aftercare for children, support for recovering drug addicts, skills development and employment opportunities.
He said the centre has 35 staff members and 12 volunteers. It provides help to 250 homeless people, 32 people with drug and substance abuse issues, and 130 children who need after-school care.
“The organisation’s accomplishments to date are the establishment of a dedicated shelter in Mamelodi Ext 5 next to the community park by a dynamic and passionate non-profit organisation,” said Kgotsi.
He said the centre facilitated successful rehabilitation journeys for individuals and provided them with employment opportunities.
He added that the centre also achieved successful family reunions, strengthening support networks within the community.
Challenges in the community include illiteracy, high incidences of drug use and associated crime which impact safety, limited availability of recreational spaces, demoralised youth, and a shortage of committed community builders.
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