Pinki Libala | Michael Tyhaleka | Rose Anderson | Bev Sanderson

Donations from the St John’s community for the Food4Needy initiative was created during the Covid19 epidemic. The volunteers and staff at St John’s have great fun packing an average of 242 parcel per month for different projects. The “Gate Ministry” which is managed by Vicky and Bev hand out
150 parcels per month to accommodate those who either homeless or have lost their jobs.
FoodForward continues to provide monthly contributions of products to assist with above project and the feeding of the elderly which we care for through the Ruth Project, as well as the Soup Kitchen and our “Gate Ministry”

The soup kitchen in Walmer Township provides ‡ 180 local folk with a loaf of bread and a cup of soup from Monday to Friday.
Centre of Concern still supports the feeding program at Aaron Gqadu Secondary School which feeds approximately 300 children per day.

Pinkie Libala, the Ruth Project Leader, and her carers run a project at St Augustine’s church from Monday to Thursday each week. They offer the elderly the opportunity to learn different skills including crafts, literacy, and numeracy classes, and receive a home-cooked meal.
Our Ruth Project carers are assisted by the ABC (Algoa Bay Council for the Aged) social workers to assess the elderly and the housebound in Walmer Township. They advise which of the elderly should receive a home-cooked meal, who needs to be washed and fed, and transported to the clinic or hospital when necessary.

This was built in 2006 through funds made available by the Savage Trust but the Diocese entrusted the administration of this to the st Johns Centre of Concern. The school currently caters to 52 learners ranging from 3 – 6 years of age. The school is managed by a principal and three teachers, who prepare the children for entry into Grade R.

There are many members of the St Johns congregation and the surrounding community who continue knitting for the Beanies for Africa Project. Louise Parker runs this project and ensures these beanies are donated to St Francis
Hospice and Dora Nginza hospital for both adults and children whilst having chemo treatment.
Beanies have also been sent with the teams visiting the Africa4Jesus ministry in Lesotho.
All second-hand clothing, bedding, toys etc. are carefully collected and sorted by Louise Parker and either sold or distributed to those in need. Blankets and jerseys are collected to distribute at the beginning of winter.

The Isandla Encincedayo Sewing Group meets on a Monday and the Khanyisa Support Group (beading) meets on a Tuesday. Both programs are run over a month period at the Centre of Concern. The idea of this project is to encourage and empower the community to learn sewing of traditional outfits and beading of traditional necklaces to enable them to be self-sufficient.

The Haven which is managed by Rose Anderson and two house mothers currently accommodates 2 children. These children will continue to be supported until they complete their education.