Appreciation breakfast for Life supporters

GEORGE NEWS - The Christian children's ministry, Life Community Services, held a breakfast for its sponsors and collaborators on Thursday 7 March to thank them for their support of the organisation.

It was held at Shofar Church. Life runs outreach centres in various needy neighbourhoods in George where they focus on ministering to children, two pre-schools (Happy Feet and Thembalethu Preschool), and a primary school, Life Christian Academy (LCA) which last year saw its first Grade 7 class 'graduate'.

Life also has two foster homes that accommodate six children each.

In her overview of the organisation's activities in 2023-2024, CEO Maryna de Vries mentioned 2022 statistics that reflect the vulnerability of children and their dire need for protection and intervention.

"Our children should be treasured and protected, yet in that year 10 000 babies were abandoned and every four hours a child disappeared.

"At Life we work to meet the needs of children in a holistic way through the love of the Lord Jesus, education, clothing, food and programmes geared to their upliftment."

There are various ways in which the public can support Life, including through sponsoring a child or getting involved in some of their events and programmes.

Last year, missionary teams from the USA visited Life, Greater Tennis Academy held a day of workshops and fun for the children and Tekkie Town's annual golf day raised R75 000 for Life.

George Traffic Department partnered with LCA to roll out a successful learner patrol training programme and the LCA patrol team went on to achieve second place in the Traffic Department's learner patrol competition in October amid fierce competition.

Some of Life's more recent events include the annual Life Community Market in November at the LCA premises, which was a huge success with about 500 people attending. Their aim is to surpass the 1 000 attendance mark this year.

The Grade 7s at the end of the year also celebrated their graduation with a memorable farewell and day of fun at Redberry Farm.

A number of Bless-A-Child events were held in December where each child received a Christmas gift and cupcake thanks to Eden Church, Glenwood School, a few personal supporters of Life and residents at Groenkloof Retirement Village. Eden Church also treated 160 children with a day at Redberry Farm and Jacobus Murray and his home group gave a party to the children from one of Life's foster homes.

Anyone who has some time to spare, and perhaps skills and knowledge that they can share with the children, is welcome to contact Life to find out how they can impact the life of a child in need.

Contact the Life office on 044 873 6601 or reception@lifecommunity.co.za, or visit them at 18 St John's Street in the George CBD.

* Life's job creation project, Isipho, employs six women on a full-time basis. They they sew, knit and crochet handmade products that are sold at local markets, through churches, businesses, and online (at isiphogifts.com). Along with a group of dedicated volunteers, the group also teaches young girls at the Life centres how to sew, knit and crochet.

These little ones all had a chance to say a few words. From left are Onikhiyo Zimkulu, Warradia Theunissen (teacher), Skylar Scheepers, Yubna Ali, Bonani Macquekwane, Ezra Williams and Danka Ruiters (teacher).

At the Life thank you breakfast is Life CEO Maryna de Vries (left) with some of the staff members, from left: Nadine Davids, Neville Arnolds, Mia Andries and Katrina Jonck (of Isipho).