A haven for those in need
Pictured above are some of ladies who work in the garden at All Saints in Ballito helping pack the food for distribution. From left Thembi Sithole, Magobovu Mkhize, Ntombizonke Mamosha and Ntombikayise Dladla.
Nkobongo residents always have a place to turn when they are in need of a meal or help.
The Ballito Roman Catholic Church’s charity organization, St Vincent de Paul Society works tirelessly to combat vulnerability in this community.
Children gather eagerly every Monday and Wednesday to receive a peanut butter sandwich and milk, while elders queue for vegetables and bread.
St Vincent de Paul chairman Kenneth Deeves says they saw the need for this charity after discovering that many people in the community are unemployed while some are very ill and have no one to look after them.
“The food we provide is never enough to satisfy everyone and every week we get even more people lining up for food.”
The society receives donations from grocery stores of leftover foods and vegetables which have passed their sell by dates. The food is then washed, sorted and packed by St Vincent’s volunteer team at the church in Ballito and taken to Nkobongo for distribution.
“The majority of people in this area are solely dependent on the food they receive here. Many of the children are orphans and some head up their households and care for their siblings,” says Deeves.
The Society’s feeding scheme is just the tip of the iceberg, however. They also have a house in the area, which serves as a shelter, a safe house and a clinic.
Nkobongo Nokwanda Mzimela, who works in the garden at the home says the Society is very generous to underprivileged people in the area.
“We come here for help, food and medication while others also come for shelter. This place is heaven for the ill and the needy. This is my second home,” she says.
The home also functions as a safe house for children who are neglected, abandoned, abused sexually and emotionally.
The Society provides a safe and loving Christian environment for the children and works closely with the social welfare until their court cases are finalized.
Retired nurse Rosemary Ngcobo also runs a private clinic at the home on Mondays and Wednesdays.
She says although the clinic is not state owned they are able to help many patients in this community.
“We do check ups, various tests and give them pain tablets. We also visit sick patients in their homes.”
