A group of men who call themselves “Man on a Mission” have set out to change the face of Duncan Village – one child at a time.Moam, founded by Thabo Mkhencele, consists mostly of men from Duncan Village who are former drug users, drug dealers or ex-convicts.
The men’s group also has members from other parts of the city, including Vincent, Sunnyridge and Mdantsane.
Together they have put in place programmes such as a child and youth wellness centre, children’s church and feeding schemes.
Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch yesterday, Mkhencele, a qualified health practitioner who recently left his job to focus on Moam, said God had planted the idea in his heart to start the organisation in 2012.
Mkhencele said he was sitting at his Nahoon Valley home when God spoke to him through a Bible verse which reads: “Then the Lord God called to the man, where are you?”
“That verse would later send me to Duncan Village,” he said.
In the township, he met five young men from the Sakhuluntu child and youth wellness centre founded by an ex-convict, Thembekile Havi.
“I mentored them and helped them to get the centre registered as a non-profit organisation.”
The centre operates from a one-room shack, with the goal of shaping young minds through sports, arts and culture, a children’s church and an after-school programme.
Today, the movement has 20 men who aim to address the ills of society focusing on three pillars – manhood, fatherhood and spousehood.
Member Aphiwe Bili, from Duncan Village, said before he joined the movement he used to peddle drugs in the township and was feared by many.
“Children used to run away from me because they were scared of me but today the children run to me when in need,” said Bili.
Parent Nolwando Jim said she had seen a positive change in the lives of her two children and many other children in the community since Moam was established.
“In the past our children used to roam the streets. Now they have a safe place to go to.
“And those who are raised by single mothers have found spiritual fathers in these men,” said Jim.
Luyanda Finini, from Vincent, said: “The centre gives life, light and hope to the community.”
Siyabulela Dubashe, from Sunnyridge, said their mission was to invest the word of God in the children.
“Our investment might one day save them from taking the wrong path in life, but should that happen, we hope our teachings will bring them back to the right path,” said Dubashe.
Apart from their programmes in Duncan Village, the movement also hosts various conferences and mentorship programmes that aim to help shape men.
The men also go to schools around the city to hand out bread and share the word of God. — arethal@
dispatchlive.co.za/
Men on mission seeing results
Moam, founded by Thabo Mkhencele, consists mostly of men from Duncan Village who are former drug users, drug dealers or ex-convicts.
The men’s group also has members from other parts of the city, including Vincent, Sunnyridge and Mdantsane.
Together they have put in place programmes such as a child and youth wellness centre, children’s church and feeding schemes.
Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch yesterday, Mkhencele, a qualified health practitioner who recently left his job to focus on Moam, said God had planted the idea in his heart to start the organisation in 2012.
Mkhencele said he was sitting at his Nahoon Valley home when God spoke to him through a Bible verse which reads: “Then the Lord God called to the man, where are you?”
“That verse would later send me to Duncan Village,” he said.
In the township, he met five young men from the Sakhuluntu child and youth wellness centre founded by an ex-convict, Thembekile Havi.
“I mentored them and helped them to get the centre registered as a non-profit organisation.”
The centre operates from a one-room shack, with the goal of shaping young minds through sports, arts and culture, a children’s church and an after-school programme.
Today, the movement has 20 men who aim to address the ills of society focusing on three pillars – manhood, fatherhood and spousehood.
Member Aphiwe Bili, from Duncan Village, said before he joined the movement he used to peddle drugs in the township and was feared by many.
“Children used to run away from me because they were scared of me but today the children run to me when in need,” said Bili.
Parent Nolwando Jim said she had seen a positive change in the lives of her two children and many other children in the community since Moam was established.
“In the past our children used to roam the streets. Now they have a safe place to go to.
“And those who are raised by single mothers have found spiritual fathers in these men,” said Jim.
Luyanda Finini, from Vincent, said: “The centre gives life, light and hope to the community.”
Siyabulela Dubashe, from Sunnyridge, said their mission was to invest the word of God in the children.
“Our investment might one day save them from taking the wrong path in life, but should that happen, we hope our teachings will bring them back to the right path,” said Dubashe.
Apart from their programmes in Duncan Village, the movement also hosts various conferences and mentorship programmes that aim to help shape men.
The men also go to schools around the city to hand out bread and share the word of God. — arethal@
dispatchlive.co.za/
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