GEORGE NEWS - Life Community Services thanked its sponsors and volunteers during two breakfast sessions at the Shofar Church on Thursday 12 March, during which some feedback on its activities was provided.
Life reaches more than 4 000 orphaned and vulnerable children (aged 0 to 18) each week, through centres in eight of George's neediest communities, where it provides educational support, ministry and a meal to the children every day.
Two staff (and board) members, Mia Andries and Neville Arnolds, were introduced to the audience and given the opportunity to share how they came to work at Life and what it means to them.
The Life Christian Academy (LCA) choir, with children from grades one to seven performing together under the leadership of Denzel Kennedy, stole everyone's hearts, and their new principal, Jako Carstens, was welcomed.
CEO Maryna de Vries said through their outreach programmes among the children of the community, they regularly witness a lack of education and encounter large numbers of children who have never been to school. "They don't have an opportunity. They don't have a chance."
She said there are lots of men, but few fathers, and they need fathers to come to the fore.
"You don't need to be the biological father, but you can play the role of a father. We need fathers."
LEFT: Life Christian Academy's new principal, Jako Carstens, with the head boy, Nolan Nel, and head girl, Aluve Makhwenkwana.
Members of the public can support Life by buying its coffee brand, Imprint, from Hoekwil Café, its newly launched ice-cream, which is available at Wellington Spar, its recipe book, pen sets or the lovely handmade gifts, toys and other articles made by the women of the Isipho Project.
Life also runs a number of homes in the community where children are fostered. Child and Family Welfare oversees the intake of these children.
The Life Christian Academy choir.
MUST - ean-Mari Bruyns, forensic social worker of Badisa, and Madelé Bouwer of Dotsure, whose Soft Landings charity is involved with Life. Bouwer is also a Life board member. Photos: Alida de Beer
Pastor Amo O’Kennedy of the Shofar Church opens with a short message and prayer.
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