BEFORE his wife’s sudden passing due to COVID-19, she always had the desire to open a youth centre, where youngsters would be safe from the elements of the streets and able to enjoy a warm meal while taking part in educational activities.
As a means of honouring his wife and bringing to life a vision that meant the world to both of them, Clive Davids, co-founder of non-profit organisation, Signs and Wonders Mission, will be building a multi-purpose youth centre in the metro’s northern areas. The centre, which will be named the Marilyn Davids Multi-purpose Hall, will focus on offering educational programmes and keeping the youth busy with games and sport in order to keep them off the street. The aim is also to provide them with daily meals.
“We will teach them skills and find people to teach them how to create things with their own hands, enabling them to work for themselves, be independent and earn money without having to land in trouble,” Davids said.
“Some of the children live in shacks and they don’t have the resources, such as tables and chairs at home. So when they come from school in the afternoon, they can come to the centre, eat and we will have people to help them with homework, no matter the subject,” Davids said.
However, the centre will not only focus on youth, but have a multi-purpose element to it as older citizens, especially the ones that are home alone during the day when their loved ones are at work or school, will also be encouraged to come to the centre and take part in activities.
“We’ll work out programmes for our older folk and they can come and do exercises, dance and play dominoes. It’s also not always safe for them alone at home and here they will always be safe and surrounded by people,” Davids added.
“We would love to create clubs among them and have them competing for trophies, just to make their lives a bit more interesting too and just bring the community together and make them love each other more.”
According to Davids, they don’t have an existing building for the centre, but have already met with their councillor and identified the plot that they want to use in Neriwe Street, Bethelsdorp.
“This is a vision that my wife and I have always had. As part of our NPO, she did so much for the community with soup kitchens, food parcels for the needy, Christmas parties for children in the community and even helping matriculants get ready for their farewells and I want to realise this vision for her.
“We lost her so suddenly and had to bury her within three days of her passing. It was so cold, so raw, so painful; it still is, but we have to push forward,” Davids said.
“Doing this for the community is not a duty but a calling. I’m realising this vision for the community and for my wife.”
Anyone interested in helping with the project can contact Davids on 061 339 1314.
