The pews at Missionvale Care Centre’s Lady of the Wayside Church quickly filled to capacity as friends, former colleagues, and community members came in their numbers to not only pay respects to the memory of the late sister Ethel Normoyle who died two years ago, but to celebrate the new Youth Development Centre built in her honour.
Each person lit a candle in remembrance with smiles and laughter. Others who had not seen each other in years embraced each other, all coming together because of this amazing woman who lived selflessly in the service of others.
The marketing manager at Missionvale Care Centre, Linda van Oudheusden, welcomed attendees and father Dube opened the ceremony in prayer.
Normoyle’s former colleagues all spoke fondly of the late sister, and mentioned how much she loved and believed in people.
“Sister E had a quiet strength, and she challenged me until I was the best version of myself,” said Janine Barlow emotionally.
Maxline Daters first met Normoyle when she was only eight years old. Now, more than 20 years later, she says she’s “a beneficiary of Sister E’s legacy” and it is her responsibility, and that of everyone who was touched by Normoyle’s life, to continue her legacy and pay it forward.
“The Youth Development Centre is a legacy of Sister Ethel’s dedication to develop the youth of Missionvale to ensure a brighter future. Through it, we reflect on and celebrate the unique, incredible life of Sister Ethel. This is something that was a dream of hers for many years!” added Oudheusden.
Another former colleague, Maureen van Staden, likened the late ‘Sister E’ to a tree that nurtures all creation in a poem – and true to this, Siyavuya Magqabi (12) and Simamkele Qwemesha (12) thanked the late Normoyle for all her efforts that led them to having an education, before the rest of the Missionvale Care Centre team cut the ribbon, officially opening the centre.
The new building will provide space for the youth development team to run their activities more effectively. A big focus is on supporting learners academically, through homework help and literacy programmes. Lessons also include human rights and healthy living topics. In addition kids can learn ballroom dancing, and take part in the drama club and surfing.
The Youth Development Centre also has the Legacy Art Project – a special initiative created in honour of Normoyle where young people are taught painting, beadwork, print making and sculpting. This gives them a creative outlet while at the same time having the potential to derive an income.
The Youth Development Centre will also be the home for the Care Centre’s Impumelelo Training and Development Centre (ITDC).
