Derdepoort centre celebrates 10 years supporting local children and families
The community centre marked its 10th anniversary with games and entertainment, but says more volunteers, food donations and private-sector assistance are urgently needed.
Derdepoort Helpende Hand Gemeenskapsentrum celebrated its 10th anniversary with a carnival-themed day of games, food, and entertainment this past Saturday.
The entertainment included performances from Charlie Beeskraal Smidt, Tolbos, Elme Churr, Pieter Strydom, and Isak Deetlefs among others.
Ons Plek Derdepoort manager, Elize Bezuidenhout, said that the aftercare facility accommodates around 70 children from several grades. They also work with special needs schools in the area, Sonitus School and Hoërskool Transvalia.
“It’s nice to have the kids here; we have kids from children’s homes who are also attending today. Throughout my 10 years, I have to say we have a lot of absent dads, so a lot of them don’t have examples or role models to look up to. We’re only three staff members here, so we need guys to come in, talk to these kids, help them, and show them the right way,” Bezuidenhout said.
The centre primarily provides services for Afrikaans-speaking children in the area, including scholar transport, feeding programs, parental guidance classes, counselling, school holiday programs, and homework assistance, as Elize describes the centre as the community’s one-stop shop for social issues.
“This is our calling, this is what we need to do, and I will not, even though we work with Afrikaans kids, ever turn away a child. This is our passion and the calling that God gave us, so we can’t ignore it,” Bezuidenhout added.
The centre currently needs community help with volunteers, non-perishable food donations like samp and rice, and assistance from the private sector as well.
For more information, visit www.helpendehand.co.za.
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