SERVING THE HOMELESS AND DESTITUTE IN KWAZULU NATAL SINCE 2007

“Truly I tell you, in so far as you have done it for one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it for Me.” Matthew 25:40

OUR MISSION

We operate a shelter/ centre for KZN’s homeless, destitute, women & children and are a registered Non-Profit Organization and PBO. Our aim is to provide a non-judgmental welcoming atmosphere .We believe every human being is valuable and no one should be stigmatized because of their past or present situation. All of our residents are treated with compassion and respect.

We care and cater for adults, elderly, disabled, abused and homeless members of society in need. We would like to amend the public conception that these people are in this position purely because of their own life choices. These choices do play a role – yes, however, it is our experience that a great deal of our residents are victims of severe trauma, long-term mental and/ or physical abuse and so on and so forth. Consequently a vast majority of the residents are victims of debilitating depression and general mental health disorders. The severity of these disorders varies and renders many of them unable to function appropriately in society or within their family units. We are very often the last port of call for those who are unaccepted and abandoned by society.

We understand that our residents need time and a safe place to repair their deep emotional wounds. Our aim is to allow the individuals’ time to heal thus enabling them to integrate back into society or into their families – healthier, with an improved sense of hope and higher self-esteem.

The socio-economic background of these people differs immensely – from generationally poor homes to educated yet socially injured people, we have and have had lawyers, architects, ex-policemen, ex- soldiers, missionaries and even a professor and a scientist pass through our doors. General mental health ailments and poverty have no boundaries .As the saying goes, “There but for the grace of God go we.” We have had approximately 3000+ people pass through our doors in the past 16 years.

We are not a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts, alcoholics or severe mental health issues. We test regularly for alcohol or drug ingestion. The errant persons are given 3 warnings and then asked to leave the premises. All residents sign a strict code of conduct; this includes no alcohol or drugs allowed on the premises.

Our Home & Some of our residents

Helping lift people out of the “Poverty Cycle”, is a process and very often a slow one ,certain residents leave then feel the need to return later and try again, we believe everyone is deserving of a second chance.
Our youngest resident is 7 years old and our eldest 78 years old. Our initial intention was not to have mothers with young children on the property. However – this has become increasingly difficult and as poverty increases we find it more and more difficult to turn them away.
All residents are required to rise at 7.00am.Each member has daily duties and responsibilities i.e. cooking, cleaning, gardening maintenance and general work – idleness is not tolerated from anyone.

What do we provide?

• Shelter
• Food
• Clothing
• Bedding
• Access to doctors, clinics hospitals and social welfare departments

We have regular religious devotions, bible study and church services led by ministers from churches on the South Coast and farther away.

Our organization is solely reliant on the kindness of donations from the body of the Church, local businesses and volunteers who donate of their time, skills and resources. We receive donations in the form of bank deposits, food, blankets, clothing and toiletries. Food is a big priority and the people receive three nutritious meals a day. But these meals are minimal – one hot meal is provided in the evening consisting of vegetables and meat when available. We have accommodated up to 100 residents at one time over the years. Certainly one can comprehend that feeding the residents is the most challenging and costly part of our operation.

Examples of things desperately needed are:

  • Soups and stocks
  • Long life goods (Milk, canned goods etc)
  • 2-minute noodles
  • Spreads for sandwiches (Peanut butter, Jam, Marmite etc.)
  • Cash donations to be used for electricity, rates, water, fuel for hospital trips, household gas etc.
  • First Aid supplies
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Cleaning materials (steel wool, disinfectant, surface cleaners, black bags etc.
  • Meat/ chicken
  • Sugar beans
  • Soya