The White Door Centre of Hope in Kareedouw has struggled to reach its full potential despite securing land for its operations in July 2024.
An extension of the established Kareedouw Victim Support Centre, the facility remains hampered by a critical absence — a security fence that would allow it to safely deliver its complete range of services to the community.
As previously reported, the Victim Support Centre was initiated by the Department of Social Development in 1994 and is currently based at the Kareedouw Police Station.
For many years the Victim Support Centre in Kareedouw hoped to expand its services to provide temporary haven for victims of abuse escaping harmful situations.
Shirley Maqhalo, project manager, said that they noticed a need for a temporary haven for victims of abuse escaping harmful situations.
“The Victim Support Centre has for many years dreamed of opening a White Door Centre of Hope that will act as an extension of the services offered at the support centre,” said Maqhalo.
Finally, in July 2024, they received a donation of a plot.
On the plot, there is a factory and an office which has been repurposed as a safe house for victims.
Sadly, just as the White Door Centre of Hope was settling into its new home, a devastating fire gutted the factory in October 2024.
Thankfully, the safe house and the section used by Kou-Kamma Animal Rescue remained intact.
Maqhalo said that after the fire, they applied for funding through various avenues but have not received any feedback yet.
While the facility requires renovation, she said that the primary concern is the installation of a security fence, a critical safeguard needed to ensure the protection of both staff and visitors on the premises.
“Since there is no fence around the premises, people walk through the premises to get to the other side of town. Without a fence, our premises are not safe,” said Maqhalo.
According to her, the centre requires a robust, vandal-resistant security fence — an essential security measure that comes with a substantial price tag.
“Thieves often break and steal the less sturdy fence, and that is why we need a fence that is solid and will last for many years to come,” said Maqhalo.
The absence of proper fencing has thwarted their vision of providing round-the-clock services at the White Door Centre of Hope.
Further elaborating on the goals of the centre, she said they plan to have a “house mother” available 24/7, to maintain an open-door policy for people needing assistance at any time of the day and empower the youth.
Even with limited operations, the centre runs a daily meal programme from 11:00 to 13:00.
Donors buy R10 coupons, which they give to those in need, who can then exchange these coupons for meals at the centre.
“The food programme gives us the opportunity to speak to the underprivileged community to learn about their challenges and look into ways to help them. It also enables us to speak to people about the centre and spread the word,” said Maqhalo.
Despite the many challenges they have faced in officially establishing the White Door Centre of Hope, she said that they will not give up and are hopeful that they will receive a donation large enough to secure the premises.
“We will never give up because we are always reminded about the reason why we need this centre, to assist our community. This has been our dream for many years, and we have to fight for our dream,” said Maqhalo.
For more information or to assist the White Door Centre of Hope, contact Shirley Maqhalo at 060 479 0202.
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