Fiona Pelman has a big heart for charity work

SECUNDA – Ms Fiona Pelman’s (39) charity work began years before she moved to Secunda.

It began in Aliwal-Noord in the Eastern Cape where Ms Pelman grew up.

She and her mother, Ms Sandra Pelman (69), and a friend opened a safe house, “Open Heart”, specifically for Aids orphans.

“The children would come to the safe house after school and we gave them lunch. They would spend the whole afternoon there and then we gave them something to eat again before they went home, because we did not know if they would get food at home,” said Ms Pelman.

Ms Pelman decided to focus on Aids orphans after a friend of hers died of Aids and the children were left without parents.

She has always had a heart for the less fortunate people. Her charity work in Secunda kicked off last year.

Ms Pelman and her daughter, Hope (8), was clearing out Hope’s cupboard last year and putting all the clothes that did not fit her aside.

There were four black bags full of clothes.

“Hope said since I am always on Facebook, I must put the clothes on Facebook,” said Ms Pelman.

“So I asked her if I should sell it on Facebook and she said no, I must give it away, because her grandmother always said that if you give more, you will receive more.

“I put the clothes on Facebook and was overwhelmed with all the messages I received from people. They said they knew somebody who could not afford clothes for their children and would like to give the clothes to them.

“I then realised that there was a big need in Secunda and there are many people with open hearts. If I can get people to trust me, I can be the middleman between the giving people and needy people.”

Ms Pelman began a Facebook page called Secunda Gratis en Verniet in June last year and had 800 people liking her page within two months.

“I left it in God’s hands and He sent the right people on my path.”

The page Secunda Gratis en Verniet currently has 1 878 likes and is still growing.

Ms Pelman appointed admins to help her with the page. They also help her manage all the donations and decisions on where to hand it out.

“In the beginning we gave to anyone who asked, but we realised some people pretend that they have nothing and now we review the people first before we give them anything.

“However, we do not judge anyone who asks for food, clothes or toiletries.”

One leg of Ms Pelman’s charity initiative is to try and get sponsors for all the children on their list in order to have a birthday party on their birthdays.

“Some of these children have never had a birthday party.”

These children are mostly orphans or children in places of safety or foster care.

“The sponsors then usually try and give the child something that was on their wish list for their birthdays. When you see these children’s faces at the party or when they open their gifts, you just want to cry.”

Ms Pelman is married to Mr Lincoln Niekerk and he also has a passion for people who struggle.

His own business specialises in safety training. He supports Ms Pelman’s charity work as much as he can.

Eventually as his business grows, he wants to give people free training to empower themselves so that they can find jobs and not end up like their parents who are battling to financially survive.

They are planning an outreach action at Trichardtsfontein Dam for Easter this year where they want to spoil the children living there with a fun day and Easter egg hunt.

Another dream of Ms Pelman is to begin a vegetable garden and eventually sell the vegetables or donate it to needy families.

“We need someone to show us how to begin a vegetable garden and keep it sustainable,” said Mr Niekerk.

Ms Pelman used to work as a safety officer before she traded it for charity work.

Her four helpers and admins are Ms Ismerelda Kruger, Ms Bianca de Witt, Ms Catherine Olivier and Ms Sharon Smit.

“We come from different walks of life, but we are like a family,” said Ms Pelman.

They are currently collecting blankets for the winter season and food is an ongoing need.

People who would like to donate or get involved, can contact Ms Pelman at 066 279 6069.

Also read:

https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/132547/secunda-gratis-verniet-wants-deliver-food-needy/