Some of the highlights during the 105 years that the SAVF Heidelberg has been in existence include:
• Founding of the organization in October 1905, by a Mrs Sannie Broers.
• Free medical care by the late AG Visser during the 1926-27 season.
• The writing of a commemorative poem “By die Monument” by AG Visser for the inauguration of the concentration camp graveyard.
• Appointment of the first social worker in 1944.
• Currently this organization has a caseload on 325 families and 1462 beneficiaries
To give us a better idea of what it is that they do me and my co-pilot, Phillip Moolman, were treated to a guided tour of the local area. First stop was a family in the Ratanda settlement. Here we were greeted by a Gr. 12 pupil, who is in foster care with his grandmother. Even though life has been tough, this young man bravely powers on to do well in his upcoming exams…
Following this we had a quick stop at the home of another young man that is being assisted by the SAVF. He finds himself in Gr.11, and is also in foster care with his grandmother. His grandmother is however the only breadwinner in the family, as his grandfather is not of good health.
Last stop was scheduled at a school that was started on a farm in the area. Here some of the children that attend the school are in foster care with the owners of the farm, and are permanent residents there. An application to be registered as a children’s home has also been filed. These children include those that have been left orphaned or that have been neglected by their parents. The school acts as a safehaven, and a place to grant them a new beginning in life.
However the day would come to a more upbeat end, with the celebratory dinner was hosted by the staff of God’s Acre, a non-profit organization that feeds up to 5 000 individuals every week. After the formalities for the evening was concluded (all the things the accountants would get excited about), we were treated to a spirited performance by the illustrious Philip Moolman. Philip who is well known for his roles in South African soapies like “Sonkring” and “Egoli” has now decided to focus his attention more on his singing career. More importantly he has now been appointed as the new Guardian of the SAVF Heidelberg.
The SAVF always needs an extra hand, and no matter what your abilities are, they will have something just right for you to do…
SAVF Heidelberg is on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/#!/group.php?gid=44653540065
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