It's Time for Tortoises to Stick Their Necks Out

It's always a humbling experience visiting the Christ Church Christian Care Centre in Hillbrow. Humbling in the first place to see how well looked after the children look; and humbling to hear Pastor Mike Sunker talking about how they are cared for and telling of their achievements.
     It is also very humbling to be thanked so kindly for our support of the 5cees over the years, although in my heart I know what we do is not nearly as much as we can do.

Pastor Mike Sunker, who gave a truly inspired closing speech

     Seven club members attended the annual Supporters Dinner: President Carol Stier, Paul Kasango, Joan Donet, Frayne Mathijs, Debbie Smith, Judy Symons and myself. Graham Donet also attended.
     As usual at these occasions, the samoosas, spring rolls, chill bites and snacks and most of all the lamb curry, were excellent.

Warwick Goosen, education co-ordinator, hosted the event

     The 5Cees has 74 school going pupils at present, plus an older boy who has finished school and has been at the centre almost all his life.
     Pastor Mike, director of the centre, says there are no plans to increase the number of children at the centre, as they feel they have reached the maximum capacity of the old Berea hotel building. They would rather try to expand in different ways.
     "We are all aware that there are literally thousands of children out there who will never escape from the bondage of poverty and its consequences without external help," he said.
     "If not us, then who? If not now, then when?"

Joan, Paul and Debbie were part of the New Dawn contingent

     He continued: "It is said that the tortoise can only move forward by sticking its neck out."
     "With this in mind we would like to embark on a project of 'planting' similar centres in our communities ... remembering that there are many things in life that can wait, but the needs of a child cannot."
     "Since our funding is limited to purchase further property the way forward is to work with churches and or businesses and others who may have access to buildings or property that can be donated for Centre use. This will be of tremendous help as it will ease the pressure on our limited funds."

Frayne and I at the meeting

     He called on all their benefactors to continue helping the centre and to step up their efforts. "From my past 20 years of experience working with all kinds of poor I have discovered that it is usually not the lack of funds, rather the lack of Christlike compassion that is a major hindrance in providing help to the poor."
     The 5 Cees was started 18 years ago at the Christ Church in Hillbrow and he pointed out that New Dawn has been helping on an ad hoc basis since the start of the club nearly ten years ago.
     The centre employs 21 staff members and has the help of many volunteers to tend to the physical, spiritual and educational needs of the children.
     It costs roughly R3300 per month to keep each child at the centre, which translated into a budget almost R3 million for 2018, excluding daunting maintenance costs for a building that old.

Graham and Joan Donet 

     Speaking of New Dawn; Next year, on 20th January to be precise, the club will be 10 years old.
     It sounds like a good opportunity to celebrate and in the process, to raise funds for some much needed help at projects such as the 5Cees. As pastor Mike says: If not us, then who? If not now, then when?

Nick Stier helps John Kasango (left) and Lethu Kwedane of Hotel Hope Ministries to load a table. They were, of course, using the flatbed donated by New Dawn

     President Carol answered those questions in her own way by donating furniture, amongst which a table and desk, to Hotel Hope Ministries in Melville, another recipient of help from New Dawn. Carol says she has embarked on an Autumn cleanup at her home in Parkview and was happy that the flatbed donated by new Dawn, could be sent to collect the donation.
     Reminder: Greta Schuler will be the speaker at the meeting tomorrow. She will be addressing the club on the topic of migrant sex workers in Johannesburg, a theme she is pursuing for her doctoral thesis in creative writing at Wits.
     Please also remember to bring Easter eggs to the meeting. Judy Symons is collecting them and will see that they are distributed, although I'm sure she'll accept help with that if it is offered.
     Judy has said she'll gladly accept cash donations if members don't have time to go out and buy Easter eggs.
     A Thought for the Week: He who opens a school door, closes a prison. - Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)