Sparrow Village in dire need

Once a beacon of hope for those living with HIV and Aids, today Sparrow Village is a shadow of its former self.

According to founder and owner Reverend Doctor Corine McClintock, her beloved ministry and place of refuge is in dire need of funds to keep afloat and feed the around 200 people it houses.

“We’ve been managing to keep ourselves going since we lost our funding some years ago, but it has not been easy,” she says.

“The bad publicity we’ve received in recent years has not helped. Unfortunately, the fact remains that Sparrow Village is the last refuge for many people and the only place they have to call home.

“The responsibility to care for these people rests on my shoulders, and while things may not always be perfect, we still do good work here. It is my life’s calling and I am determined to see it through.”

Sparrow Village has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in recent years, with allegations of wrongdoing, including the sheltering of illegal immigrants, drug and illicit alcohol dealers, and more abounding.

“We’ve had our challenges,” says McClintock. “These are things we are dealing with to the best of our abilities, but it does not change the fact that we have a job to do and we are determined to do it.”

She remains adamant that such reports are blown out of proportion, and she insists that police, during their recent raid on the village, treated herself and her residents unfairly.

She also reiterates allegations that some residents were robbed and even assaulted by crime prevention wardens during the raid – allegations that police say they are looking into.

McClintock says they are managing to stay afloat by mercy alone.

“We make a very small amount of money leasing some of the halls out for church services on Sundays, and there are those few organisations and churches that still donate food, clothing, blankets, medicine, and sometimes some money, but it is not nearly enough.”

McClintock spent two weeks in hospital recently after collapsing during a meeting.

“Luckily, it seems to have been stress and exhaustion related, and nothing too serious,” says the 86-year-old.

The village has recently also lost their only car in an accident on the way back from a funeral, and the reverend has not had a cellphone in months after hers broke.

“With World Aids Day [December 1] coming up in less than a month, we hope to get some support from the local community and businesses.

“Despite everything, we still provide an essential service to our residents,” McClintock concludes.

If you would like to assist McClintock, feel free to visit the Village at the corner of Albertina Sisulu Road and Nadine Street, Maraisburg.