Senior citizens vow to assist Mams community centre
They were impressed by the services at Bophelong, which include an orphanage, mental health care centre, old age home, hospice, HIV testing and counselling centre, pre-school, primary, and high school.
Retired professionals dubbed Members of Mamelodi Professional Senior citizens have vowed to lend a helping hand to a centre that helps the needy in Mamelodi.
This came after the association, comprising mostly former school teachers and school administration staff, recently went on a tour of Bophelong Community Centre in Mamelodi East.
The seniors were impressed by the centre’s services for the Mamelodi community.
The members of the association, which has immensely contributed to the upbringing of many local residents, felt they needed to give the centre a helping hand.
One of the senior citizens, Shirley Roberts, said she was impressed by the services at Bophelong. The services include a disability centre, orphanage, mental health care centre, old age home, hospice, HIV testing and counselling centre, pre-school, primary and high school, all housed on the premises.
These services are rendered for free.
She said the services rendered were essential for the community.
“I had a family member who had difficulties raising their mentally disabled child, and with initiatives of this nature, the community can thrive,” said Roberts.
“Most community members pass such establishments not knowing what transpires inside,” she added.
CEO of the centre Babe Mosuwe encouraged community members by any means possible to assist those families whose members have disabilities.
She said the people of Mamelodi practise the spirit of Ubuntu and help people with disabilities with house chores, and essentials, and take care of them.
Pastor Titus Sithole of the Charity and Faith Mission Church and the founder of the centre said nothing beats lending a helping hand where there is a need, especially in the previously disadvantaged community.
“Even if we had the ability to help just one person, at the end of the day, we would have made the difference, which is what matters the most.”
He said every now and then the centre is unable to supply its daily needs, and they welcome assistance of any kind.
“Either in the form of donations of cash or unwanted goods that the centre can sell to the community to raise funds.”
The retired professionals have vowed to give a helping hand as the centre allows them to hold their monthly meetings there and also encouraged the public to make a difference in the centre.
Anyone who wishes to help the centre with a donation can contact 012 801 7552 or 062 536 7653.
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