Having been involved in youth and community development work across the country, recently appointed Gadra Advice and Community Work director Roger Domingo is ecstatic to be home.
Having been involved in youth and community development work across the country, recently appointed Gadra Advice and Community Work director Roger Domingo is ecstatic to be home.
“I couldn’t be happier to be back in Grahamstown,” said Domingo.
After managing the St Mary’s Development and Care Centre for seven years, Domingo became the regional programme manager for the President’s Award – a post which entailed frequent travel to the Northern Cape, Free State and around the Eastern Cape.
Limited family time compelled Domingo to re-assess his options, and fortunately this opportunity at Gadra became available.
Domingo was instated as director in January this year.
Domingo can lean on his background in Human and Social Studies, as well as his knowledge, passion and vast experience within the field of youth and community development in his new post.
“This is what I love doing, and I am committed to making a difference,” the new director said.
Domingo said he does not wish to bring about wholesale changes to Gadra Advice, one of the best known and longest-surviving NGOs in Grahamstown.
What he does want to change is the fact that the organisation’s work often goes unnoticed – a factor of its being so well established and prominent in Grahamstown.
As the new director, Domingo has begun the task of restructuring the organisation and realigning its programmes.
Gadra Advice now has three core programmes: Distress and Relief Support, Sustainable Livelihoods and Visually Impaired Peoples (VIPs) Skills Development.
Domingo said Gadra's main goal is to play a leading role in alleviating poverty in Grahamstown.
Domingo also highlighted the importance of forming formal partnerships with other NGOs in the area to work towards a common goal.
Domingo said he had already communicated with Famsa, Gadra Education, Child Welfare, Legal Aid and Hospice.
“Often Gadra Advice is the first port of call for those in distress. We can then refer more specific problems to these organisations,” Domingo said.
Domingo expressed his willingness to take on a new approach in “going into the community and extending beyond the walls of Gadra”.
He planned to engage with community members rather than providing aid from a distance.
As a private and mostly corporate-funded institution, one of the biggest challenges facing Domingo is financial support.
Gadra Advice employs 11 staff members, five of whom are blind. Domingo’s short term goal is to keep the organisation’s doors open this year, to “keep our heads above water” after which he can focus on sustainability within the organisation.
Get to know Gadra:
Gadra Advice and Community Work will be hosting a breakfast at The Wyvern, Kingswood College, on Tuesday, 14 May from 7.30am-9am, where they will reintroduce their work to the Grahamstown community and launch their new logo and website.
Tickets cost R720 per table of 10 seats or R80 per person. For bookings, contact Roger Domingo at info@gadra.co.za or 046 636 1744
