Khula is a beacon of hope
Pastor Joseph Ndovela and his late wife Jabu founded the Khula Community Centre.
Located on the outskirts of Oribi Gorge, Mhlabathini the Khula Community Centre serves the community by bringing hope with education, health, feeding programmes and meeting other social needs.
In 2002, Pastor Joseph Ndovela and his (now late) wife Jabu saw a desperate need to start a feeding programme and crèche in this rural community.
In 2010 Pastor Joseph asked Genesis Hope to oversee the ministry.
Since then it has grown into a community centre and a crèche for many children – and it’s making a significant difference.
Ally Minnaar, manager at the centre, said Khula is a safe place where children are nurtured and guided in a positive way, ensuring they reach their full potential.
“On Monday to Friday, we run a crèche where we serve two meals to the children from the crèche and various schools in the community. On a daily basis, we also have afternoon lessons for primary school children, where they are taught English, computer skills and a math lesson four times a week,” she said.
“On Tuesdays and Thursdays the children are given food parcels packed with love by the staff and on Wednesday and Friday respectively our teachers visit a primary school up the road to teach English, focusing on vocabulary and phonics. We also have music lessons where our music teachers teach marimba to high school learners, who have learnt a lot and have performed in competitions.”
Ally said the centre relies solely on donations and thanks to funders (big and small) and the grace of God, has been fortunate to be able to provide all it does.
The Herald spent the day at Khula, last Thursday, to experience first-hand what a day at the centre is like.
Catherine ‘Gogo’ Shazi said it all started with a vision.
“Before it was a church which was a hut structure, built with mud bricks. With the help of Pastor Joseph and Genesis Hope, the centre is what it is today and is beneficial to the entire community. It has created jobs and ensures that our families do not go hungry. We are really grateful,” she said.
Ally thanked all those – too numerous to mention – who over the years have played a role in Khula’s success.
She said Khula was open to receive donations and would welcome those who wanted to volunteer as well.
For more information or to donate contact her on 074 1528990.
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