Street shower initiative brings hope to Springs community
Residents in need received warm meals, showers, clothing, haircuts and emotional support during Olympia Park High School’s fifth annual street shower initiative on May 9.
The Springs community benefited from a heartfelt street shower initiative held at Olympia Park High School on May 9.
The event hosted by Redeemed Life touched many hearts as people in need received warm meals, haircuts and refreshing showers and were provided with winter blankets and clothing.
One of the volunteers at the event was Russell Tillie, who said he was a drug addict for 35 years before the initiative transformed his life.
“I was on the streets for four and a half years and I just needed help, and through them I started getting better.
“They put me through rehab, and today I can proudly say that on May 17, I will be two years clean,” Tillie said.
He added that he looks forward to waking up each day knowing he has a supportive community backing him.
“When you are on drugs, you’re a loner, you don’t want people near you. Now I’ve got a big family. I’ve got a big family and it feels amazing,” he said.
The outreach organiser, Ferdi Swanepoel, said, “We had many different people who came to the event, including broken people, people that are always overlooked and they left with smiles on their faces.”
The event also included a CV station where people could get their CVs typed and printed, as well as a ministry section where they could be prayed for.
“They sat on a trailer where people were washing their feet. The same way Jesus did with His disciples.
“Sometimes people just need a place where they can vent because normally if you’re living on the street, you don’t always have someone to speak to,” he said.
Swanepoel said the goal is to show people the love that Jesus has for them.
“We need to love everybody, no matter where they are or who they are. That is something that is missing in the world at the moment; people showing real love,” he said.
This year marked the fifth anniversary of the street shower initiative. Swanepoel said the event would not be possible without the support of businesses and schools such as Olympia Park High School, which provides a venue for hosting the initiative.
He added that a church was recently opened at Oppenheimer Circle, where they minister to the disadvantaged community.
“I encourage you to join us. We start at 10:00, and we would love to connect with and support you,” he said.
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