13 years of exceptional service to the people of Toekies

Activities for the little ones.

 It's been 13 years and the Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre has continued to go from strength to strength.
 The facility has provided quality services to orphaned and vulnerable children, and improved the lives of countless people in the communities it serves.
 In the last financial year a number of milestones were reached, including the training of three employees as Victim Empowerment Coordinators who will assist in cases involving victimization.
 A total of 842 people received support and assistance from the Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre. Of these 416 were children.
 458 people were provided with a healthy, hot, cooked meal every day. Ten HIV/AIDS Awareness and door-to-door programmes saw 789 people reached and 173 households received services provided by the Drop-in Centre.

Challenges

 "While we have made great strides, achieved much, and look forward to ever greater things in the years to come, there are a number of challenges we face," says Programme Manager, Kenneth Malepe.
 "There is a great need for more office equipment. In addition there is a shortage of items such as children's chairs, tables and kitchen equipment."

Making life better for Aunt Meisie

Aunt Meisie

 Four years ago 65 year-old Toekomsrus resident, Maria Haremse, more commonly known as Aunt Meisie, was confined to a wheelchair when she developed spinal problems.
 "Life was very tough," she says. "Surviving on a Government pension and disability grant is not easy, especially as I live with my daughter and grandchildren.
 "It was a struggle and particularly difficult when I had to go to the hospital for doctors' appointments. Transport could easily cost me R400 and then there was no money for food."
 But Aunt Meisie's life took a turn for the better when Carryou Ministry field workers got to hear of her plight.
 "On 18 July last year, Mandela Day, our Child and Youth Care Programme workers decided they wanted to do something to help her," says Kenneth Malepe, Carryou Ministry Programme Manager.
 "They undertook to plant a vegetable garden for her and also to plaster the rear walls of her home and do some other repairs."
 The garden was planted and soon producing a variety of fresh, healthy food.
 "I ate spinach, pumpkin, carrots, beetroot and onions," says Aunt Meisie. "It was an enormous help and a big cash saving."

Knitting

 However at the time there was no money available to purchase the materials required to do the house repairs and improvements.
 "This month we got the cash needed," says Kenneth.
 Last week Child and Youth Care Workers descended on Aunt Meisie's home to complete the job, and at the same time freshen up the food garden and plant a new batch of vegetables.
 "It is wonderful and makes me very happy," she says.
 Arrangements have been made to take Aunt Meisie to the Carryou Drop In Centre in Toekomsrus every day.
 "There she will be taken care of and given a hot meal, and in return will teach youngsters knitting skills," says Kenneth.

Freshening up the food garden

The back wall is finally plastered