Angel’s Place Foster Care’s only combi stolen

Angel’s Place Foster Care in Discovery is a non-profit organisation that currently cares for six children who have needed to be placed in alternative care. This place of safety for children was founded in 2007 and is currently being run by the Bethany House Trust in Krugersdorp.

Maime Smith and Gert Jonker are the ‘parents’ of the home and say their main priority is to ensure each one of the children receives the love, warmth, attention, guidance and security they deserve. “Each child learns that they are special and have a purpose in life, and are encouraged to grow and develop in order to reach their full potential,” explained Maime.

Every two years, each child’s foster care orders are reviewed to determine whether their parents have been rehabilitated and it is safe for the children to return home, but until then, Maime and Gert try to make the children in their care as much a part of their family as possible. As long as the children are in need of alternative care, they will be welcome at Angel’s Place. At 18 years old, the children can decide whether they want to stay in the foster home or not, and are given the opportunity to stay in foster care until the age of 21, provided they pursue further studies directly after high school.

All six of the foster children are currently enrolled in school. Sadly, on 19 April, while Maime was at one of the schools for a meeting with the educators, the NPO’s only combi was stolen from outside the school. The issue was reported to the Florida Police but the vehicle has not been recovered. Unfortunately, Netstar was also unable to recover the vehicle and the insurance payout is nowhere near the amount needed to buy a safe, roadworthy vehicle big enough to transport all the children.

The combi was used to transport the children to and from school and extra murals, buy groceries, pick up donations, and take the children to social activities and outings. Angel’s Place is pleading with any willing corporate sponsors or community members to help with a donation, no matter how big or small, to help them raise funds for a new vehicle. Section 18A tax certificates for tax rebates can be issued for any donations.

If anyone is able to assist this desperate foster home, please contact Maime on 081 303 8510, Gert on 082 900 7832, or the Angel’s Place home number on 081 459 3979. Other donations that are greatly appreciated by the home include any non-perishable food items, cleaning products and toiletries.