eMbalenhle centre receives donations from women in taxi industry

Ukukhanya Kwezwe Women’s Club visited the Okwam Nokwakho Drop-in Centre in Extension 17, eMbalenhle, on September 2, where they donated groceries, clothes and toiletries to support vulnerable and destitute children.

According to club president Khabonina Hlophe, the organisation, made up of women working in the taxi industry, regularly engages with communities and often comes across centres that operate quietly while providing much-needed support to vulnerable children.

“As women in the taxi industry, we always work within the community. We noticed that there are centres like Okwam Nokwakho that are not well known because they operate in areas with vulnerable children. Yet, they are not receiving enough support from either government or the private sector,” said Hlophe.

She said the club first visited the centre to understand how it operates before deciding to contribute.

“As leaders of the club, we first came to see how the centre operates before deciding to contribute. We noticed that children come here after school, where they receive a meal before going home.

“On weekends, they spend most of their time at the centre, where they are cared for instead of being on the streets,” she said.

Hlophe said the club members decided to contribute from their own pockets by purchasing clothes, toiletries and other necessities for the children.

“We decided to contribute from our pockets to ensure that the future of these children is secured. We bought them clothes and other necessities such as toiletries, and we will continue supporting the centre with whatever little we can get from our taxi operations,” she said.

Lindiwe Kunene, who received the donated items on behalf of the centre, expressed gratitude to the club for its contribution.

Kunene said the centre was established after community members identified a growing number of vulnerable children who were being neglected or exposed to difficult circumstances at home.

“We established this centre after realising that we have many vulnerable children within our community. Some of them are neglected by parents who are involved in drug and substance abuse,” she said.

She explained that the centre identifies vulnerable children through door-to-door visits and information received from community members.

ALSO CHECK: Secunda’s social seniors spring into fitness

“We identify these children through door-to-door visits and through community members who inform us when there is a child who is being abused, neglected or not properly cared for.

“When we receive such information, we inform social workers and law enforcement about the situation. We then visit the home to verify the report.

“If we find that the allegations are true, the social workers play their part, while we ensure that the child receives food after school and assistance with schoolwork,” said Kunene.

Kunene appealed to community members and organisations willing to assist the centre to come forward and support its work.

For more information or to make contributions, community members can contact Kunene on 082 740 4283 or Thandeka Msibi on 071 936 1908.

The club’s last stop was at Isiphephelo Community Centre, where they also donated necessities.