Life starts building on new property

GEORGE NEWS - Building started in full force on the new property of Life Community Services (LCS), thanks to a bunch of caring Georgians who have rushed to the organisation's aid to enable them to relocate as soon as possible.

LCS was granted an extension of their lease till the end of August, and it is hoped that through negotiations they may stay on till December when the infrastructure on the new property should be ready.

Since the newspaper reported in early July on the acquisition of the property, numerous people sprang into action to help with preparations for construction.

"The Lord miraculously provided us with human resources that we could only dream of. Out of Africa Missions came and asked if their teams could come and work with us. They started by helping us clean up, sort out, and plant out our trees and plants. We have team leader Onne Vegter, quantity surveyor Joe, CA Jacobus, land surveyor Gerry, two builders Gerri and Herman, architect Yvette, town planner Lynette, business manager Bianca, Craig for fencing and electrification, project manager Deon, Michael with his TLB and trucks, and help and understanding from Louis and the property owner, Gerhard.

"Members of the local community are providing security. For all legal issues and contracts, we have Salome, and our prayer team consists of Eden Church, friends all over the world, Covenant Church of Pittsburg, Shofar, CCTVN, our Life team and all who want to join the prayer team," says Life's CEO, Maryna de Vries.

The foundations were poured on 26 July. Moving of the temporary buildings is next on the list and dismantling some of the fittings on their rental property that they had developed over the past 18 years will start soon. The plan is to move the temporary buildings that house the Isipho job creation project, and the buildings of Life Christian Academy to the new property in mid-August. The cost is more than R165 000. Their income thus far was R800 000.

"We need R1,4 million for a wall, fence and to get services connected. We are hoping that more members of the public will partner with us in this venture. In South Africa we are registered as a non-profit organisation and have public benefit organisation (PBO) status, so contributions, be they goods or money, will get you an 18A certificate from Sars," says De Vries.

LCS has been operating for 18 years, providing meals to 1 000 children in the needy communities daily.

Its crèche, school and after-care centre reach a further 600 children each day. People who wish to make contributions, be it in kind or cash, may contact Maryna de Vries (maryna@lifecommunity.co.za) or Onne Vegter (onne@wild-wings-safaris.com). The LCS office number is 044 873 6601.

Delighted staff of Life Community Services on the new property. Front, from left: David May, Maryna de Vries, Chrisna du Preez, Warra Theunissen, Nadine Davids and Meloney Human. Back: Liesbeth de Klerk and Neville Arnolds.