A former unused building in Faure Street, Môrelig, has come to life in 2023. New Beginnings is now a beacon of hope for the Bethlehem community.
Over the past two years this facility has been renovated on the inside and outside, and equipped by businesses and individuals from the wider community. Maluti FM moved into a part of the building in May 2022, while renovations were still ongoing.
Since January 2023, various people with different needs were given a new lease on life. Mothers with children in distress, other single adults with challenges and an elderly person with his carer are now being housed in this beautiful facility. These residents are also on various upliftment programmes to help them with their challenges.
The Meals on Wheels kitchen will be in operation, supplying cooked meals quite soon; it is already equipped and being used by the residents.
New Beginnings will also be the training ground for children of ages two to five who are on various spectrums, to be prepared to function in a regular tutor centre or school. Three children are already being trained, with the help and supervision of various experts (psychologists, speech therapists and occupational therapists), who give their time to assist with this great calling.
The dream of this being a Spectrum Lighthouse is starting to be fulfilled! Separate little classrooms/playrooms are however needed to work with the children in privacy, as they are easily distracted.
The Bethmed Day Theatre in the Medical Centre, who has been walking with ChangeNetSA since it was founded, came forward to sponsor the first unit. On 29 March the unit was delivered and was officially handed over on Thursday morning, 30 March.
What a happy day! Guests were treated to some snacks and tea/coffee, after which Justice and Anita Scott welcomed the guests and told the story of the facility. The guests included the sponsors, the therapists, some Dihlabeng councillors, the Department of Social Development, various business owners, representatives of BCC-, NG Eufrata- and NG Oos-Churches, the Museum, ChangeNetSA staff members, the supplier of the Kizan unit, members of NPOs in Bethlehem, representatives of Meals on Wheels and individual community members.
New Beginnings is now true to its name – it provides a fresh start for people who need hope and a beacon of hope.
Photo, l-r: Parties involved in the official delivery of the first playroom/classroom: René Kilian (Bethnet Day Theatre), Sydney Marume (Kazin units), Vanessa Roux (Bethnet Day Theatre), Anita and Justice Scott (ChangeNetSA).
Photo, l-r: A full view of the Kazin unit, with some attendees of the delivery event: Front: Sydney Marume, Verne le Roux, Anita Scott, Retha Pretorius, Alta Nagel and Corné Pretorius. Back: Charl Strydom, Rita Wastie, René Kilian, Vanessa Roux, Justice Scott, Annette von Caues, Liezel McDuling, Gert van der Werrf and Fransie van der Westhuizen.
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