New NPO to help tragedy-stricken families
Local NPO calls for community assistiance to help people in need.
THE volunteers at Roy Edward’s Touching Angels (Reta) on the Bluff are calling for community support so they are able to help others in their time of need.
The registered non-profit organisation hopes to become the supporting hand to guide people through tragedies or those who have fallen on hard times through a trust fund.
“I was in an abusive relationship, which led to the death of my son, Roy Edwards in 1991. At that point I had no-one to turn to and I didn’t know where to go for support. Many families face crises and don’t know where to go for assistance. I want to be able to show them and guide them before something tragic happens,” said Reta founder, Elaine Van der Merwe.
The organisation has partnered with Elim Church and has started its assistance programme by providing clothes to homeless people. One of the top long-term priorities is to create a trust fund for parents who can’t afford treatment for their children with life-threatening illnesses. “Why should a child suffer because their parents are unable to afford medical aid?”
In the short term, the team hope to host a Christmas party for needy children and the elderly. “The community has supported Elim for years with our gift wrapping programme at Christmas. The church members have knowledge of these types of programmes and therefore decided to lend support to Reta,” said H Roberts from Elim.
Anyone willing to donate sweets and gifts for their Christmas programme or donations of food, clothing, blankets, Bibles, furniture, money, books or stationery – all of which they can collect – should call Elaine on 076-406-7550 or Ben on 082-662-6121.
“Thank-you to Elim and Fotocity for their help, which has allowed us to help others. I know I can’t change the world, but if I can make a difference in one life, it’s worth it,” said Elaine.
