GEORGE NEWS - In this week's Focus on from George Municipality, we talk about nutritional centres in George.
Nutritional centres
There are currently 116 fully functioning nutritional centres within the George municipal service area. The centres are run by volunteers from the various communities. The centres provide three meals per week and the target group are vulnerable children, chronically ill adults and the elderly.
The centres receive a food hamper monthly from the municipality to ensure that the services continue. The nutritional centres provide at least 150 meals, with some volunteers providing meals to more than 300 beneficiaries a day, which amounts to an average of 20 000 meals monthly.
Chronically ill adults are referred to the centres through local clinics. Regular monitoring also takes place at the centres and complaints received are investigated. If anyone has any queries regarding the operating of the centres, they are free to contact the Community Development office on 044 802 1766.
Homeless persons
A local Forum for People Living on the Street was established about four years ago. This forum consists of various role players from local NGOs, governmental departments, and members of the public.
The aim of the forum is to eradicate the issue of homelessness. The surveys serve as a tool to identify the needs of the individuals and to see how they can be assisted.
The unit has reunified 14 people with their families in January and February 2024. Currently there are 11 people who have requested to be reunited with their families.
The following events were successfully concluded:
- Human Rights Day event on 20 of March, where 105 referrals were made to the George Night Shelter and other stakeholders, three family conferences and one parent training with 12 parents living on the streets facilitated by Kid-Stop,
- 32 CVs were compiled for job seekers and 17 support groups sessions were held. These included counselling sessions provided by Stop Trafficking and the sewing project, which is aimed at economic empowerment, as well as one wellness programme with assistance from the Department of Health.
Our Community Development office continues to provide clothing and toiletries to persons living on the street. Through other stakeholders, reunification services are also planned for those individuals who indicated that they wish to reunite with their families.
Many people living on the street are also encouraged to register on the EPWP database and in some instances, they are assisted with the typing of their CVs for employment opportunities.
The issue of homelessness is a vast challenge and assistance from all spheres is needed to address the issue properly.
Anyone who wants to donate non-perishable food, clothing, blankets or toiletries, can drop off it at the Community Development office on the corner of St John’s and Varing streets in the George CBD.
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