COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECTS

Community Outreach Programmes

Over the past couple of years, the North West region of the Johannesburg Church of Christ has been involved in meeting the needs of children in the Zandspruit and Diepsloot areas by giving them food, playing games with them and providing them with a few hours of love and care each week.

Following a recent assessment of the church’s community outreach projects in Zandspruit and Diepsloot, it was established that the majority of church members wanted to implement a more co-ordinated and personal programme, based on meeting the children’s needs, that would also allow volunteers to have more of an impact.

Thereafter a community assessment was undertaken which revealed a tremendous overlap in the children’s needs and the skills that the church has to offer. To structure the programme in a way that will meet the community’s needs and allow church members to use their talents in different ways, it was decided to divide the programme into five focus areas:

Skills - life skills, hygiene, resilience, health, helping the caregivers, etc

Showcase activities - concerts and creative activities which entails drama, singing, presenting annual concerts, etc

Shelter - house repairs

Sport - soccer and netball

School - educational supplies and homework support

The church members that volunteered for the outreach program, has contributed tremendously during 2007 by helping to lay the groundwork for each focus area. We can still improve on a number of things, but are proud and grateful for what was achieved during 2007. If you are interested in contributing to or participating in our programme, please contact Felicity on 0737711417.

Christmas Party for Underprivileged Children

On Saturday 24th November, the Johannesburg Church of Christ organized a Christmas party for approximately 320 kids between the ages of 4 and 18 from the Diepsloot and Zandspruit communities. The main purpose of the party was to encourage and make a difference in the lives of the kids that the church supports. It was also a great way of involving volunteers, including church members and sponsors, who are always willing to help out but don't always know how. A total of 115 volunteers were present on the day, not only from the Johannesburg Church of Christ, but also from HOPE and Monash University. 

The party, which was held at Monash free of charge, included lots of outdoor activities such as jumping castles, games on the field and basketball for the teen boys. When it started raining, Monash University kindly allowed the children and volunteers to use their cafeteria and class rooms. Jack Ingle arranged a magic show, which the kids loved. Ester Tshabalala and the rest of the face painting crew also helped to keep the kids entertained. 

The day was a tremendous success. It was clearly evident through the many smiles that the kids thoroughly enjoyed all the activities provided. They were also particularly delighted to receive their gift bags which contained lots of awesome goodies inside. It was encouraging to see how all the volunteers really put their hearts into serving the kids on the day.

The church would like to extend a huge word of thanks to the following people and companies who sponsored gifts and party packs:

Monash 

The University of Johannesburg 

Shell

Zeag

Masfreight

The Johannesburg Church of Christ (poor contribution funds)

Janet du Toit from MTN

Sbu from Ikemeleng Architects

Yoghini Venketas from Allied Mobile Communications

Eugene Brink

Lizelle Volschenk

Greg Ball

Willie du Plessis

SN Middel

Maartie Claasens

Terry, Leigh and Wendy Barter

Arthur and Andrea Adams

Roselyn Young

Sarah and Wouter Roux

Special mentions

The Johannesburg Church of Christ would like to recognise Doreen Khanye, a disciple from the North West region, who sponsored uniforms (shoes, jerseys, skirts, shirts, socks, trousers and ties) for over 100 kids in the Diepsloot and Zandspruit areas out of her personal capacity. We admire your sacrificial heart and only hope that many others can follow your example in the new year.

On 10 November 2007, Investec treated 85 kids and 15 teachers from the Diepsloot area to a Peter Pan show. They not only sponsored party packs and transport to the show, but also a Wendy house for the Diepsloot pre-school kids. We thank you for your help in making these kids’ lives just a little bit brighter.