A passion for children and the elderly fills Karen du Plessis’s days with those who struggle to care for themselves.
Du Plessis, a single mother of four, has adopted a group of about 35 children in Vergenoeg, for whom she collects clothes and food and has Bible study with every Saturday at Cranberry Primary School.
The project assistant from Gibbs Engineers said her work was possible only thanks to the abundant support she received from colleagues, friends and family who donate clothes, food and money.
Acting Cranberry Primary School principal Zwelakhe Mwahleni said Du Plessis had been very active at the school.
“She is a pillar of the community. She helps us by identifying the circumstances our children live in and helping where she can, doing things we as the school cannot do.
“She engages with the teachers so they can understand what the children may be going through.”
But it is not only children that Du Plessis assists. Clarrisa Koopman approached her after she lost her father last year and described it as “the best phone call I ever made”.
“Through prayer Karen has helped me deal with my loss and reminded me that God has a purpose for me and ever since I called her we have not parted. Instead I am helping her with the 35 children, who come from broken homes, and and also elderly people whom she has taken under her wing.
“She put me on the right path and strengthened my relationship with God, which is what she wants to achieve with all the troubled souls she is helping.”
Koopman said although some children were very aggressive and closed up, they opened their hearts to Du Plessis because they knew she would help them.
Du Plessis said she first saw the plight of poor people in Vergenoeg when she did volunteer work at Haven Core, a non-profit that helps underprivileged families.
The Braelyn resident, a fundraising board member of St Bernard Hospice, is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.
“The children in this community are living in an area where alcohol and drugs are abused daily. Some are living with negligent parents who leave them to fend for themselves. Somebody has to do something.
“I knock on doors and encourage the community to open their hearts and wallets to others in need, and fortunately people have been very supportive.
“The outreach would not be sustainable without the help of everyone who contributes.”
Du Plessis often asks taxi drivers to donate transport when she has raised enough to take the children out.
Colleague Virginia Voigt, who nominated Du Plessis, said she was humbled by how much time she committed to helping others.
“She is absolutely selfless. Every waking moment she is giving, giving, giving.
“And on top of that she is still studying to develop herself. She is nothing short of Superwoman.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Helping hand for the vulnerable
Du Plessis, a single mother of four, has adopted a group of about 35 children in Vergenoeg, for whom she collects clothes and food and has Bible study with every Saturday at Cranberry Primary School.
The project assistant from Gibbs Engineers said her work was possible only thanks to the abundant support she received from colleagues, friends and family who donate clothes, food and money.
Acting Cranberry Primary School principal Zwelakhe Mwahleni said Du Plessis had been very active at the school.
“She is a pillar of the community. She helps us by identifying the circumstances our children live in and helping where she can, doing things we as the school cannot do.
“She engages with the teachers so they can understand what the children may be going through.”
But it is not only children that Du Plessis assists. Clarrisa Koopman approached her after she lost her father last year and described it as “the best phone call I ever made”.
“Through prayer Karen has helped me deal with my loss and reminded me that God has a purpose for me and ever since I called her we have not parted. Instead I am helping her with the 35 children, who come from broken homes, and and also elderly people whom she has taken under her wing.
“She put me on the right path and strengthened my relationship with God, which is what she wants to achieve with all the troubled souls she is helping.”
Koopman said although some children were very aggressive and closed up, they opened their hearts to Du Plessis because they knew she would help them.
Du Plessis said she first saw the plight of poor people in Vergenoeg when she did volunteer work at Haven Core, a non-profit that helps underprivileged families.
The Braelyn resident, a fundraising board member of St Bernard Hospice, is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.
“The children in this community are living in an area where alcohol and drugs are abused daily. Some are living with negligent parents who leave them to fend for themselves. Somebody has to do something.
“I knock on doors and encourage the community to open their hearts and wallets to others in need, and fortunately people have been very supportive.
“The outreach would not be sustainable without the help of everyone who contributes.”
Du Plessis often asks taxi drivers to donate transport when she has raised enough to take the children out.
Colleague Virginia Voigt, who nominated Du Plessis, said she was humbled by how much time she committed to helping others.
“She is absolutely selfless. Every waking moment she is giving, giving, giving.
“And on top of that she is still studying to develop herself. She is nothing short of Superwoman.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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