Redeem Life working hard to build a homeless shelter

As the homelessness crisis in Springs continues to get worse, it has become clear that a plan is needed to avoid a disaster.
Redeem Life, a local NPO, aims to rectify this problem by building a homeless shelter in Springs.
For the past two years, the Redeem Life team has been fully dedicated to their duty to give food to the destitute and needy.
They have reached out to families who had lost their income and livelihoods and found themselves in hard and desperate times.
It was during this time that Redeem Life saw the dire need for a homeless shelter in Springs.
“God spoke clearly to us and told us that the people on the streets are very hungry and needed food,” said founder Winifred du Preez.
The NPO works in partnership with Anchor Recovery Centre to get those struggling with substance abuse into a rehabilitation programme.
“There are success stories of people that have been set free from addiction and reunited with their families again,” said du Preez.
“The most important thing for us is to get them back to their families and back on their feet.”
Du Preez wants to stress that not all homeless and destitute people are drug addicts or alcoholics.

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In November last year, Redeem Life worked hand in hand with nine NPOs, businesses and churches to provide street showers to the needy in Springs. It proved to be a major success.
After the showers, they were treated to a warm meal, new clothes and CV writing services.
“During these two years, we have moved from area to area in Springs trying to reach everyone that is in need of help.
“At this present time, we are in Geduld taking hands again with many organisations and churches in Springs and the surrounding areas. We are ministering and feeding on a Monday night to the destitute and needy.
“Anchor Recovery Centre is also running a support group there to help those who want to be helped,” explained du Preez.
Their plight faces an uphill battle, with more people losing their jobs and turning to substance abuse.
Du Preez and her team are looking for a suitable building and contracting people to one day build a shelter.
“A building costs money and we are an NPO and will not be able to get a loan from a bank. There is no doubt that Springs needs a shelter.
“The need is big and if businesses are not going to take hands, we are going to sit with a bigger problem in the future,” she said.

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Du Preez said the aim of the shelter is to help families that have come from rehab programmes and are not abusing drugs or other substances.
She also wants to equip them with skills that they can use to sustain themselves and their families.
By establishing networks with various churches and organisations, du Preez believes they will be able to reach as many people as they can, equip them with skills and assimilate them back into society.
To make their dreams a possibility, Redeem Life calls on businesses and individuals to reach out to them and help them with funds if they wish to see a homeless shelter in Springs.
Contact du Preez on 082 536 0588 to get involved.

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