St Mary’s is full of blessings

ST MARY’S Children’s Home held its 114th Annual General Meeting on September 20 in the chapel of the home.

The AGM was opened with a prayer by Bishop William Mostert, followed by a welcome from Advocate Mancha Manaka who is chairman of the executive committee. The minutes for the 113th AGM were read, accepted and approved and then Adv Manaka gave his report.

He thanked all the donors and sponsors who support the children’s home and Nedbank MFC for finishing the last cottage, which was in need of a revamp. “I now challenge the bureaucrats to play ball. The children of St Mary’s do need you and cannot survive without your input. The Department of Social Development undoubtedly has what it takes to put a big smile on our children’s faces. Kindly avoid delays and ensure that expeditious funding is not affected. The mayor of Johannesburg is on record in the The Star of August 27, 2016, as saying that one of the top items on his to-do list was the eradication of the City of Joburg’s billing woes. During his election campaign he was baffled when he heard NPOs with municipal accounts of R300 000 couldn’t pay. The St Mary’s bill could be amongst those because wrong billing goes back as far as 11 years. To date, no resolution has been reached despite the fact that this billing problem is to the detriment of this home.

“Thank you to the executive committee for heeding the call and ensuring that we keep going. My challenge is to improve and eradicate all the stubborn problems in 2018 and reverse all negatives,” said Manaka.

Phil Geyer, St Mary’s treasurer, gave his report adding, “God is faithful and we don’t use that term flippantly. We believe it. With another year having been completed we are so grateful for His contribution and to all those who played their delegated part, in making it possible. Thank you very, very, much – one and all – for your truly valued contributions. As we remain committed to run the race, ‘fighting the good fight of faith’, we will always be grateful for your encouragement and contribution, in whatever format you wish.”

Sonja Harmse, director of St Mary’s gave her report and said, “In reflecting over the past year, many disappointments, challenges, negative answers to appeals, personnel vacancies, severe budget cuts, the hardships our children had to endure and the effect thereof as well as cash-flow problems could easily have demotivated all involved at St Mary’s, but that was only part of the year.

“Requests to admit children from other children’s homes that have been in existence for many years but now have to close their doors, the constant negativity of people with regard to the political and economic future of South Africa and the consequences thereof of the NPO sector in general, made us proud to belong to and be part of the team at St Mary’s Children’s Home. We are even more committed and determined to persevere, reach our goals, make a difference and walk in faith to a better and brighter future.

“Thank you to each and every one who has played a part in keeping us afloat.”

The children in the home sang, recited poetry and danced for the guests and were greatly appreciated. An appointment and endorsement of Goodwill Ambassadors took place with Hilario Zimudzi (assistant director: children) handing out the badges.

Reverend Denzil Burgon and Shané Conley (social worker at St Mary’s) concluded and invited all the guests to join the children in the cottages and enjoy St Mary’s very own Wacka Mary’s!

Also Read: 

Tireless hard work ensures St Mary’s Home runs smoothly

St Mary’s cottage revamped by MFC

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