Support is needed for the Kristopher Ryan Centre’s adults with disabilities
There is a list of needs for the Kristopher Ryan Centre and its beneficiaries.
The Kristopher Ryan Centre is a proactive workshop and aftercare for adults with disabilities, which teaches life skills to become self-sufficient.
Two mothers founded the Kristopher Ryan Centre in 2002, whose sons, Kristopher and Ryan, had disabilities. Within a couple of years, there was a need for a bigger aftercare facility than the container it began in.
In 2004, the municipality gave the grounds to the mothers, where the Kristopher Ryan Centre currently is and has been growing over the years.
They are an NPO and rely on donations for the day-to-day running and upkeep of the facility. The centre is known for its baked biscuits, a stream of income for the facility.
The biscuits are available at the Pick n Pay Family Supermarket, Five Star Superspar, Sasol Garage Gate One and Sasol Garage in the CBD.
You can also purchase the biscuits at the Kristopher Ryan Centre at 98 and 101 Besterecta Street from Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 to 13:00, or visit their stand at the month-end Boere Mall at Lake Umuzi or the Secunda Village Market at Five Star Superspar every first weekend of the month.
The Kristopher Ryan Centre provides breakfast and lunch for its beneficiaries.
“For around 65% of our beneficiaries, these are the only two decent meals they get. We strive to keep our meals nutritious,” said Lizelle van Wyk, the centre manager.
Although the NPO Food Forward supports them, they still rely on the donations of non-perishable foods from the public.
The oldest beneficiary is 45 years old, and the youngest is 18. There are currently around 35 beneficiaries.
“Our primary goal is to teach our beneficiaries how to be self-sufficient,” said Van Wyk.
The Kristopher Ryan Centre wants to build a chicken coop and needs more land to expand its vegetable garden.
“With a chicken coop and vegetable garden, we teach our beneficiaries skills they can use outside the centre to become self-sufficient,” said Van Wyk.
There is a list of needs for the Kristopher Ryan Centre and its beneficiaries. They appeal to businesses and the community to help restore the centre’s roof, especially around the bakery.
It has a flat tinned roof, which gets extremely hot in the summer and rains through during the rainy season. The board members appeal for the roof to be reconstructed from its current tin roof state.
They also need maintenance around the centre and a handyman who can supply and connect copper pipes to the kitchen geyser for hot water, fix doors, tiles, and much more. Although Secunda Toyota serviced the vehicle, it needs new tyres.
Winter men’s and women’s clothes and shoes, toiletries and sanitary supplies, cleaning detergents and materials for sewing are always welcome.
Kristopher Ryan Centre is under newly elected management; Thabiso Mofokeng (chairperson), Edward Letsimo (deputy chairperson), Steven Nkosi (treasurer), Lizelle van Wyk (centre manager), Debbie George (secretary) and Colile Ndzinisa (deputy secretary).
There are also two caretakers, Agnes Matarise and Ellen Linda, and cooking and baking staff, Thandi Nkosi and Maria Mnisi.
“Our caretakers are excellent, and our beneficiaries love them. Everyone here is a family, and our beneficiaries are like our children. The centre is their safe place,” said Van Wyk.
The Kristopher Ryan Centre is BEE compliant and can issue an 18A certificate for tax purposes. The centre accommodates beneficiaries from Standerton, Secunda, Bethal, eMbalenhle, Evander, Kinross and Leandra.
For donations and more details, contact the Kristopher Ryan Centre on 082 649 4372 or visit their Facebook page.
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