Church supports Rebeccah to help the kids
Children are the future, but only a few people, like Rebeccah Banda, have taken it upon themselves to build the foundation for a great future.
Rebeccah runs the Musa We’Nkosi Day Care Centre that takes care of 80 children, ranging from six-months to six years, from a poverty-stricken community in the Wolf Informal Settlement on the outskirts of Vosloorus.
Rebeccah has, however, faced a few challenges as the children were, until recently, being sheltered in an L-shaped shack which has no flooring, a roof that leaks when it rains, just one door and two windows.
She explains how, even though the shelter was dark and would often get muddy during the rainy season and very hot during the summer, while freezing in winter, she did what she could to take care of the children.
The Boksburg Central Methodist Church, has, in the meantime, come on board to support this project.
Barbara Morrison, of the Methodist Church, says the evident love Rebeccah shows for the children, in spite of all the challenges she faced, prompted an immense response from the church and community members.
“We have managed to procure a very generous donation of a new 9m x 6m zinc building, consisting of three rooms,” she said.
“Rotary generously funded the laying of an interlocking brick foundation to house the building.
“With insulation under the roof, this building is nice and cosy and the staff and children are revelling in the warmth of their new, secure, waterproof, spacious building.”
Barbara explains how the needs of the day care centre are many and varied.
“There is no electricity or sewerage laid on in the area and, until recently, Rebeccah and her staff had to walk some distance for water.
“Rebeccah has recently paid to have a tap fitted on the property, which has helped tremendously,” she says.
A concern to Barbara is the fence enclosing the day care centre, which, it seems, isn’t strong enough for such an enterprise.
Outside the newly built shelter there is a small outdoor toilet which works off a septic tank, with no roof or front.
Rebeccah’s own home, a shack where she cooks three meals for the children every day, is just across a wide path.
Despite everything that would usually put a damper on any other individual, Rebecca appears to have taken on the burden without letting it affect the children at her day care centre.
Walking into the day care centre, the children appear to be happy and are very welcoming.
Barbara says the church hopes to be able to upgrade the old, original shack to make it more comfortable for Rebeccah’s ever growing centre.
“We would also like to improve the toilet facilities as well as erect a more secure fence around the property,” she adds.
If there is anyone who might have the means to assist with the projects, they can contact Barbara on 082 443 3468 or 011 896 2548.
