THE Helenvale Centre of Hope recently obtained the first runner-up position at the Charlotte Maxeke Service Excellence Awards in the category of best performing child care and protection service in the Eastern Cape.
The award recognises the exceptional work done by NPOs in addressing the psychosocial and economic challenges in communities.
Community leader and chairperson of the centre, Mario Lewis, said that they were ecstatic, especially since the centre was basically still in its infancy, having opened its doors in August 2016.
“To receive provincial recognition proves that we have done an excellent job. When the organisation was established, we never knew it would achieve such great success in such a short amount of time.
“At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter that we don’t get paid in monetary value. The fact the we are getting recognition is more than enough.
“Now we just want to show other organisations that hard work does pay off,” Lewis said.
He explained that the centre focused on helping vulnerable children. “We looked at the climbing rate of school drop-outs and decided to establish an organisation that fought against poverty.”
After starting with only 50 children at Hillcrest Primary School in October 2016, the programme has expanded to other schools and gained more than double the amount of learners.
Community volunteer, Nadia Abdul, who is actively involved at the centre, said she couldn’t contain her excitement when she received the news about their nomination.
“We were all really happy. The centre does a great job. Everyone who works there is well-trained and that just makes us wiser and more able to do our jobs to the best of our abilities,” she said.
Lewis mentioned that the centre has partnered with the police, Nationwide Treatment Centre SA, Uviwe Child and Youth Services and many others to start a holiday programme catering for about 300 learners from primary schools within the Helenvale area.
“We want to teach the children about making positive choices in life and that there is more to life than gangs and crime. To prevent them from roaming the streets and getting into trouble, they will be involved in activities throughout the day.
“In addition, we will have motivational speakers raising awareness about drug addiction, crime and teenage pregnancy,” Lewis added.
Young leaders from schools in the northern areas, members of school governing bodies, teachers, many other organisations and parents have volunteered to assist.
Meals will also be provided to the children throughout the five-day programme.
The programme starts at 09:00 on March 23 and will run for the whole week until March 27.
Anyone who is willing to assist with educational equipment and materials or for more information can call Lewis on 071 614 1576. Alternatively, he can be e-mailed at: helenvalecentreofhope@outlook.com.
