MESsage from the Branch Manager
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2021 started off at an extremely fast pace. Within the first 22 days of the new year, MES Kempton Park experienced its first positive COVID-19 case at the shelter. By 29 January, there were ten more positive cases. Swift action was taken to isolate and contain the spreading of COVID-19 at the shelter and we turned to Prof. Richard Cooke at Nasrec for guidance on containment.
All shelter residents were moved to Nasrec to isolate and prevent further spreading of the virus. We are grateful for the assistance we received from the Gauteng COVID-19 Disaster Unit and that none of our Kempton Park staff members contracted this dreadful virus.
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In February we opened our resource centre. All equipment was donated by SITA and the new facility has enabled our shelter clients to complete an entrepreneurship course presented by Dr. Nischal Khandai from the NSK Business School. Our clients are currently awaiting their final results from the course. The top three assignments will be rewarded with gift vouchers in addition to their certificates. We appreciate the impact SITA, Fiona Khan from The Solutionists and Dr Khandai have made in our branch.
In more good news, Easy Life Kitchens installed a brand-new kitchen for our staff on 22 March, such generosity has left us speechless. On that note, I would also like to thank all our donors for their loyalty towards our branch, without your financial support we cannot continue to change hearts in the city. On 19 March we celebrated the first year of running as a fulltime shelter, it is truly amazing to see the change that takes place in people when they have a place of belonging. Our facility is sub-standard at the moment due to the fact that we do not have a dining room or recreational space, however we are planning on launching a campaign to improve our shelter facility. We are looking forward to our supporters and friends being part of this campaign.
Offering services to school learners have proven challenging during COVID-19, in addition to operating as a full-time shelter, the After School Programme (ASP) could not continue as normal. The learners are still a priority for us and with Kaleideo church as a partner, with support from the KFC Add Hope and two individual donors, we have started providing meals to a feeding scheme at Laerskool Kreft. We are feeding 36 pupils on a daily basis.
I would like to close this letter with expressing my gratitude to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for His protection and for providing all our needs. I leave all of you with the following blessing: Numbers 6:24 – 26, “The Lord bless you and watch, guard and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious to you, The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” Amen.
Regards,
Helena van Blerk
MES Kempton Park Branch Manager
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Upcoming events:
- Mandela Day - We will celebrate the day in true spirit. Should you wish to get involved please contact us – kempton@mes.org.za or 011 024 4580.
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The MES Kempton Park Recycling Project forms part of the GROW (God Restores Our World) job and life rehabilitation programme, enabling the branch to create a sustainable income for its programmes.
Only shelter clients take part in our recycling programme, for which they are paid a stipend which helps them to cover their shelter fees.
Do you want to know more? Click here to view a list of recyclable items or contact MES Kempton Park on +27 11 024 4580 or kempton@mes.org.za.
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Change a heart this coming winter!
With the winter season approaching our vulnerable and homeless community living on the streets remain the most exposed to the unbearable cold weather conditions.
You can give hope and warmth to the destitute through MES. Contact Luwanda Conco at MES Kempton Park on +27 11 024 4580 or email kempton@mes.org.za.
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“Apart from being physically dirty and hungry, you never feel safe or at peace,” Zimasile Tala
Meet Zimasile Tala, a 38-year-old man born in the Eastern Cape and is the eldest of 3 siblings. Zimasile first came to Johannesburg in 1991 where he stayed with his aunt and attended school in Soweto. He managed to complete his grade 11 in 1999 but had to leave school to find work due to his situation at home.
In September 2016, Zimasile was employed as a machine operator at Insimbi Plastics in Kempton Park where he worked for almost 3 years until the company underwent restructuring in 2019 and he was retrenched. Following his retrenchment, Zimasile could not afford to pay rent for his accommodation and was left with no choice but to live on the streets of Kempton Park.
When the COVID-19 national lockdown began, Zimasile was one of the street dwellers who were picked up by the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Officers and was taken to the community hall in Birchleigh for shelter. Six months into the lockdown, Soul Malatjie, Social Auxiliary Worker at MES Kempton Park visited the Birchleigh community hall where he assessed and interviewed males who would be eligible for accommodation at the MES Kempton Park shelter. Read more!
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Tshepo Baloyi got his heart changed for the better
Tshepo Baloyi is another young man that Soul Malatji, noticed and assisted from the community hall in Birchleigh during the level 5 of the national COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
Tshepo is originally from Ga-Mothiba, a village in Limpopo. Tshepo came to the city of Kempton Park in September 2019 in search of work and full-time employment, however, things did not turn out as he had expected. As the days went by, without him being able to secure employment, he soon ran out of the little funds which he had saved up before his arrival in Kempton Park. He then turned to do recycling on the streets of the city in order to have money for food.
Once he was at the MES Kempton Park shelter, he was encouraged to join the MES GROW (God Restore Our World) job rehabilitation programme. Through the course of 2020, Tshepo diligently attended GROW workshops and bible study sessions. He even attended the life coaching classes which were offered by a volunteer and a COVID-19 awareness course which he has received a certificate for. His eagerness to keep learning and feeding both his mind and spirit has helped him stay motivated and believe that he still has the chance to turn his life around for the better. Read more!
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MES bids farewell to Aloma Swanepoel
Aloma joined MES, specifically the Kempton Park branch in October 2015.
“It was an exciting and interesting journey of five and a half years for which I am extremely grateful,” says Aloma.
“During my time at MES, I have seen poverty and people with broken lives. I have met great people with hearts of gold, made friends and learned about relationships. The skills gained, as a marketer and fundraiser for MES Kempton Park, will help me tremendously on my new journey.”
“Thank you to each and every one who travelled with me on this five-year journey. I will treasure it forever. My wish for MES and the branch: May the Lord bless you in abundance. May you experience His peace every day,” concludes Aloma.
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New look for our staff kitchen - Thanks Easylife Kitchens!
In more good news, Easylife Kitchens installed a brand-new kitchen for our staff on 22 March and such generosity has left us speechless. The team worked tirelessly during the long weekend between 19 and 22 March to make sure everything is perfect. Thank you Easylife Kitchens! |
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DONATE TO MES KEMPTON PARK
ABSA Bank
Account holder: MES Kempton
Account number: 9228657779
Branch code: 632 005
Swift code: ABSAZAJJ
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Needs list
In order for us as MES Kempton Park to continue with our vision to change the heart of the city, there are a few things that we would like to ask assistance with.
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Prayer requests
MES is based on Christian principles. We invite you to join us in our prayers and pray for the organisation to be able to deliver on its mandate.
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Nation Builder
MES is one of only 16 NPOs in South Africa that has been selected to be a beneficiary of the Nation Builder initiative.
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