 |
| The Principal EWC, Ms Hellen Ntlatleng, handing over
blankets and groceries to the orphans. |
Ekurhuleni West College went beyond the 67 minutes of good will. On
Monday, 16 July 2012, the Marketing Department visited Ubuhle Bezwe
Orphanage home in Tembisa. The centre is currently home to more than 50
orphans who have been neglected by their families, or robbed of their
parents by death, and many other social challenges.
The marketers stayed with the orphans, assisted with the chores and also
assisted with transport to fetch sponsored food for the children. The
college donated school bags, which the kids will use to carry their books to
school.
On Wednesday, 18 July 2012, management and staff of EWC, Ekurhuleni
Metropolitan Municipality Social Development Department, Home Affairs
Department and Government Communications Systems, mutually spent an
afternoon with children-headed families. Management of EWC and the
aforementioned departments converged at one of the children's homes to hand
over groceries and blankets to the families. Some of the families are headed
by children who are under 18 years of age. It was upsetting seeing teenagers
taking care of their siblings and cousins despite the fact that they are
also children who need somebody to take care of them. The conditions they
are living in are appalling and made many of the visitors emotional.
 |
| This shack is home to a family of 5 orphaned children. |
Some of the children did not have birth certificates or IDs. The
department of Home Affairs vowed to assist the children to obtain birth
certificates and IDs so that they are able to access government grants.
Social Development Department Manager, Ms Corny Mbuqa from Ekurhuleni
Metropolitan Municipality said that the department guaranteed to provide
social support to the kids.
The principal of EWC, Ms Hellen Ntlatleng, thanked all for the
contributions they made in ensuring that the children are well taken care
of.
In her remarks, she noted, "Some of us have blankets and sometimes
use electric blankets to keep warm during winter, yet we still feel it is
not enough. What about these kids? That is why we are here to share the
little we have with them so that they can eat and be warm."
The principal emphasized the issue of education and gave a brief talk on
what the college offers that could be of help to the children. She also told
them that by learning skills, they would be rendering themselves marketable,
either through self-employment, or by being employable in other sectors.
She furthermore mentioned that even though the food would not last
forever, nevertheless, the 67 minutes made a huge difference, and in
motivation of a progressive partnership, the aim is not to give fish to the
under privileged, but teach them how to fish.
In conclusion she said that EWC would try by all means to see that these
children got proper shelter through the EWC Build a House Project.
After the handing over function, the families were all treated to a good
meal. Other people from the neighborhood were also served with meals.
All the campuses of EWC also celebrated Mandela Day by giving blankets to
needy students.
 |
 |
| Groceries and
blankets being presented to the orphaned children. |
 |
 |
| Sponsored meals
being served to the children and other members of the community. |
 |
|
Ms Hellen Ntlatleng (right), seen
presenting blankets to
needy EWC students. |
|
|
