Some of Grahamstown’s local churches have been reaching out to help the needy in their communities.
His People Christian Church, which holds their servicesat Victoria Girls’ High School every Sunday, have started a poverty alleviation project called One Street at a Time.
Some of Grahamstown’s local churches have been reaching out to help the needy in their communities.
His People Christian Church, which holds their servicesat Victoria Girls’ High School every Sunday, have started a poverty alleviation project called One Street at a Time.
In 2008 they bought a house in Ncede Street in Extension 9 by raising funds through donations from the congregation.
The house was renovated and is now used as a community crèche. “As a local church, we have to take responsibility for the state of the people in our city and all its people, let’s start with this street and people who live on it,” said Sarah Bennetts, an administration clerk at the church.
Vivian Jafta lives in Ncede Street and runs the crèche. She says “This crèche has been very helpful to our community and parents who have low incomes can afford it, their children grow up here and I have become their second mom.”
Pastor Nicholas Julius of Abundant Life worship centre said that his church has a youth organisation that focuses on youth development.
“This organisation tries to keep young people off the streets and equips them to sustain their lives. Our youth visit hospitals and old age homes to help out the elders and give prayers, we would love to donate money in terms of charity but we are still a developing congregation,” he added.
Terry Prince from the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses based in York Street said that they do not earn any money, but give up their time providing bible education to the people.
“Members of our church who are based overseas do help out when disaster strikes in other countries, for example Hurricane Katrina which struck the USA and the earthquake that took thousands of lives in Haiti, we donated blankets and other necessities to families. Locally they do help those who come to us and ask for food or spare clothes,” he elaborated.
The Apostolic Faith Mission situated between Extension 4 and 5 in Joza welcomes visitors to their church. Those in need can fill out a form listing their problems and contact details.
Church representatives read all these forms and contact them for a possible visit to their homes for assistance.
Neziswa Kutu, a pastor at this church said, “We visited a Vukani home, where a woman who was in a wheelchair for more than ten years she was very sick and could not take care of her home any more.
Our church bought cleaning material and we cleaned the house.”
She added saying, “Right after we paid her a visit she got admitted to hospital where she passed away, she wished for a bright future of her children. We are taking care of her children.”
The church has a welfare department which consists of various assistance that deal with community issues such as HIV/ Aids, skills and development and a project desk that provides advice on farming and beadwork among other skills.
