From visiting children’s homes to renovating them, the Angel Outreach NGO is doing its bit bringing hope and joy to suffering children in East London.
The NGO, founded in 2015, encourages East Londoners to be actively involved with children’s homes and spend some time with vulnerable, abused and orphaned children.
Angel Outreach members visit children’s homes, bathe and play with the children, and raise funds for the homes.
Founder and chairwoman Candice Woodbridge said she was concerned by an increase in the number of babies being abandoned in hospitals and decided to do something about it.
“When a group of new faces arrive it is like a breath of fresh air. For the kids its a sign there are people out there who care about them,” she said.
At least six homes – Daily Bread, King’s Children’s Home, God’s Heart Desires, Angel Orphanage, Greensleeves and East London Youth and Child Care Centre – have benefited from the NGO’s good deeds.
Buyiswa Jonas of God’s Heart Desires in Fort Jackson heaped praises on the NGO.
“They came to visit and brought Christmas gifts for all 22 children. Each child had clothes and they did not give us old things.
“And last year they did such an amazing thing for us – something we can never forget and is long-lasting: they built us a veranda, bathroom and laundry room. We at God’s Heart Desires can never have enough words to thank them.”
During the year they organise fun events, the most recent being a pyjama run, where the children all received new pyjamas. “Some of these children have been hurt, disappointed, broken. They are damaged and need love and reassurance,” said Woodbridge.
“We can’t be everywhere, we need the help of people.
“We want to promote a volunteer culture, and we also urge schools and companies to come and take part, just spending quality time with the kids.
“If we could all come together we could change their lives.”
Angels Outreach vice-chairwoman Vernalize Thomas echoed Woodbridge, saying if more people visited children’s homes, the vulnerable children would feel more loved.
Their biggest challenge is not having enough visitors. So far this year they have had only three groups visiting homes on three Saturdays. Woodbridge urged those thinking of volunteering to visit their website, www.angeloutreach.co.za, to get a sense of what the needs are at the different homes. Volunteers are screened before they are accepted, she added.
Anyone who would like to visit at one of the children’s homes can send an e-mail to hello@angeloutreach.co.za, or they can contact Woodbridge on 073- 897-0598...