Project to empower vagrants
Community project to help reunite the homeless with their families.
ON A mission to reunite the homeless with their families, two community workers have taken on the challenge in an effort to reduce substance abuse and crime.
The Sithelelona Manzi Project’s chairperson – Mondli Mbonambi and social worker – Nkululeko Gumede have started the non profit organisation which offers victim and offender dialogue (VOD), victim empowerment, skills development and mediation to help street adults and children reconcile with their families.
Last week the duo invited vagrants to enjoy a Youth Day lunch in front of the Richards Bay municipal offices and motivated them to see themselves as important and to consider the sacrifices made by the youth on 16 June 1976.
‘Those youth did not fight for us to live on the streets or in jail, but for our democracy and we should honour them by respecting ourselves, finishing school and making a difference in society,’ said Mbonambi.
Substance abuse
Mbonambi said the project began this month and they found people are willing to make a change, go back to their families and quit drugs.
‘Substance abuse is a major challenge on the streets. Many of these people have hurt their families or those in their community and are scared to go back home.
‘We have offered to meet and mediate on their behalf and reconcile them with their families, offering them counselling and treatment services.
‘We believe all these actions will help to reduce crime and substance abuse in our communities.
‘Another concern is that some do not have identity documents and we have taken them to the Department of Home Affairs to ensure they have this essential tool which is vital for them to find employment.
The project is seeking sponsorships or donations anyone interested can contact Mondli on 0822901491 or Nkululeko on 0834217586.
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