Pricilla Mukokobi
The Elshaddai Community Kids Club has been making a difference in the lives of children since its establishment on 5 March 2005.
Managing director of the project, Pastor Jadwiqa Cinton van Rooyen from the local community church, said since its formation, the club has made a significant impact in the lives of children in the communities of Okahandja, Groot Aub and Rehoboth. He told Youth Corner that the project provides educational support to over 100 children and assists 50 households with food parcels.
“The soup kitchen is currently an ongoing project, and community education programmes are also in place, such as educating children about HIV and AIDS and giving training on how to be an independent business person with entrepreneur training,” said Van Rooyen. “On the 21st of March (this year), Independence Day, we launched a project called ‘A Piece of Bread on a Child’s Table’. We intended to send a strong message out to the government, business people, stakeholders and everyone else who can lend what they can towards this good cause. They must meet us halfway,” he added. “We thank Spar Rehoboth for donating 350 vouchers so that we can at least reach out to these children with a pot of soup for this day. We had budgeted for 100 children when we found ourselves with more than 250 children on this day, but we try to feed as many children as possible.”
The Elshaddai Community Kids Club was founded by Sophia Basson, a single mother who raised three children on her own when she saw the need to reach out to vulnerable orphans, the poor, hungry and homeless children, some of whom are affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
Basson told Youth Corner that the Kids Club helps to create a brighter future for the children of Okahandja, Groot Aub and Rehoboth, and is a shining example of how individuals can make a difference in their communities.
“I love children. It’s my passion to work with children, which is why I came up with this project. A lot of children need help out there, and it is my job as a mother to help them. We need to prepare these children for the future,” she said.
Basson has been using her own resources since the start as she has been struggling to secure funding from local organisations and businesses, and said it’s not easy. She is, therefore pleading with Good Samaritans to assist her with this project.
Despite these challenges, she remains committed to the Kids Club and the children it serves.
The Elshaddai Community Project Kids Club has received support from various organisations and individuals over the years, including local businesses, churches and community members. The project is currently seeking additional
funding and support to expand its programmes and services, and reach more children in need.