A CENTRE and safe haven for children celebrated its 10-year milestone in South Hills recently.
The massive celebration for the Look Forward Creativity Centre, a home to many children who did not previously have a home, was hosted to mark the decade of hope and giving.
Hosted on Messina Street, proceedings began with song and worship before Father John Thompson from the Saint John Bosco Robertsham Catholic church initiated proceedings.
A TALE OF HOPE: Father John Thompson leads proceedings during the 10-year celebration for the home. Photo: Gopolang Chawane.
He said the purpose of the service was to worship God and to celebrate the 10 years of the centre’s existence.
MC Fabian Oliver said the Look Forward Creativity Centre was a home to many.
“Today we are celebrating its existence. Thank you to all the clergy and young people who have put in effort to make this celebration a possibility,” he said.
Danie Ferreira, who is involved with the executive board and event planning for the centre, said the Saint John Bosco Robertsham Catholic church worked very closely with the home.
“The centre was established 10 years ago by Sister Beatrice and to see where it is now is fantastic,” he said.
Ferreira said the centre with 28 children was facing a challenge with two children who were writing matric, as they had come of age.
He said it was a challenge they welcomed as the children were usually forced to leave the centre after a certain age, but they were working on a programme to help the young adults create jobs for themselves.
“We are raising funds to help them with the next step of their lives. Projects help to train them to start to create jobs for themselves. Kids can use all the help they can get.”
Founder of the centre Sister Beatrice Mkuna said she was no celebrity. Adding that she was only helping the children, she shifted the focus of the interview and offered a cup of tea.
Sister Beatrice, as she is commonly known, has been with the centre for the past ten years, helping children from all walks of life.
Neighbour Willy Jacobs said there had been tough times at the centre, especially when the children were sick.
He said he had often assisted in transporting the children to the hospital. “This centre means a lot to everyone,” he said.
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