Citadel Ministries International, a new faith-based organisation in the community of Broadlands in Strand, is dedicated to offering hope and support to children and youth.
Their mission is to “re-engage, re-assure, re-build and re-address every situation that has been hopeless” in the lives of young people, with a focus on building a strong foundation in faith.
“We aim to lay a strong Godly foundation in their growth,” says Pastor Prior Ndubueze, who together with Pastor Shasha-leigh Cloete are leading the project.
“Because when a good foundation is laid, their decision making will be positive and their mindset changes. They will see life on a positive different level.”
The long-term goal is to create a safe and positive cycle within the community, with young people who were once helped becoming future mentors themselves.
Citadel Ministries recognises the importance of addressing basic needs first. “Our key programme involves the children and youth’s feeding; this is our key programme,” explains Ndubueze. They then work to address spiritual, domestic, and personal challenges faced by the children.
The team understands the delicate situations some children face. “We approach them by asking questions and then we counsel,” adds Cloete. They work to build trust and open communication, while acknowledging the challenges of engaging parents who may not be readily available.
Citadel Ministries is still young, but their vision is ambitious. They plan to become a globally recognised organisation, with departments dedicated to assessing community needs and engaging with children and youth on a deeper level.
Building trust with parents and a lack of resources are the organisation’s main hurdles. They are currently funded entirely through the pockets of their dedicated leaders and rely on the community’s support. Citadel Ministries welcomes volunteers and donations to help them continue their important work.
If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, you can contact Citadel Ministries International at 073 920 0831 or 068 598 9213 or email citadelministriesint@gmail.com
