Every Wednesday and Friday, about 400 people in Parkridge, a mostly impoverished township in East London, queue up to receive a meal from the Haven Wellness Centre.
For most, it is their only meal for the day.
The centre and hospice, started by Eurina “Totsie” Stowman and her late husband George in 2005, has been going strong ever since.
Stowman resigned from her administration and data capturer job at Checkers to focus on helping those less fortunate.
The centre caters for a variety of problems that the community is faced with on a daily basis, such as fighting against women and child abuse, poverty, substance abuse and the stigma around HIV/Aids.
Yesterday was no different as more than 100 people queued up to receive a meal.
Stowman said she had no regrets about quitting her job.
“When I started this centre I was at my lowest. We have had so many challenges but we don’t want to speak about them, we are just hungry to make a change and because we trust God,” she said.
Stowman said everyone was welcomed at the centre.
“I saw a need for all of these services. This is their first police station. We are the lighthouse of this community,” she said.
The centre has a baby unit that provides baby clothes, food, nappies and other items.
There is also an HIV/Aids and a women’s support group, an edu-care service, the weekly feeding scheme and elderly care services.
In the queue for buttered bread was Elizabeth Orai, 66.
“Whenever we need something we come here because we are unemployed and we have no food.”
From one bed 13 years ago, the Haven Wellness Centre is now a home for 26 patients, with three female wards and one male ward.
Idols SA season 12 top six finalist Bevin Samuels, of Port Elizabeth, is a weekly volunteer at the centre.
“I feel strongly about giving back because the community made me who I am,” he said. Ruwyne Tembu, 20, who started going to the centre when he was 17 years old, is now a male caregiver at the centre.
“I used to come here every day after school because I didn’t have food at home. This place is very helpful to many people. I used to bring my friends who were experiencing things such as abuse.”
The centre operates from a building donated by East London couple Carrol and Clive Warmburg in memory of their late son. It survives on donations from a popular retailer, friends and family members. — lisekhom@dispatch.co.za
Haven a lifesaver for many people
For most, it is their only meal for the day.
The centre and hospice, started by Eurina “Totsie” Stowman and her late husband George in 2005, has been going strong ever since.
Stowman resigned from her administration and data capturer job at Checkers to focus on helping those less fortunate.
The centre caters for a variety of problems that the community is faced with on a daily basis, such as fighting against women and child abuse, poverty, substance abuse and the stigma around HIV/Aids.
Yesterday was no different as more than 100 people queued up to receive a meal.
Stowman said she had no regrets about quitting her job.
“When I started this centre I was at my lowest. We have had so many challenges but we don’t want to speak about them, we are just hungry to make a change and because we trust God,” she said.
Stowman said everyone was welcomed at the centre.
“I saw a need for all of these services. This is their first police station. We are the lighthouse of this community,” she said.
The centre has a baby unit that provides baby clothes, food, nappies and other items.
There is also an HIV/Aids and a women’s support group, an edu-care service, the weekly feeding scheme and elderly care services.
In the queue for buttered bread was Elizabeth Orai, 66.
“Whenever we need something we come here because we are unemployed and we have no food.”
From one bed 13 years ago, the Haven Wellness Centre is now a home for 26 patients, with three female wards and one male ward.
Idols SA season 12 top six finalist Bevin Samuels, of Port Elizabeth, is a weekly volunteer at the centre.
“I feel strongly about giving back because the community made me who I am,” he said. Ruwyne Tembu, 20, who started going to the centre when he was 17 years old, is now a male caregiver at the centre.
“I used to come here every day after school because I didn’t have food at home. This place is very helpful to many people. I used to bring my friends who were experiencing things such as abuse.”
The centre operates from a building donated by East London couple Carrol and Clive Warmburg in memory of their late son. It survives on donations from a popular retailer, friends and family members. — lisekhom@dispatch.co.za
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