a Teacher that really cares

The number of vulnerable children at Victory Children Community Development Centre has increased drastically, with some walking for over an hour to have their only meal of the day at this centre.

"Anyone who can donate - even a bag of rice, maize meal, cooking oil or onions, please you are welcome.

"We don’t need money as much as we need support to make a difference in our community.”

The words of Elizabeth Petrus, a teacher at a school in Grootfontein who has been feeding vulnerable children in Grootfontein since 2017 already – often from her own pocket when no other means are available.

Petrus is the founder and CEO of the non-profit organization Victory Children Community Development Centre, where she hopes to establish a soup kitchen – and more - for these children in need.

“I realized that there is a real need in the community for a soup kitchen. Apart from that, charity is my passion,” Petrus said, describing herself as a mother, teacher and philanthropist.

Open day

She recently held an open day after receiving a plot in Grootfontein to also inform the public about her plans to build a children development centre there.

Times are tough and often she can only offer a piece of bread and a cool drink for the day, but the children will come walking for over an hour to reach the centre, she said. “Most of them come from the informal settlements in the town and only eat here – once a day.

"But this helps them!”

Not for free

However, nothing comes for free and Petrus will have to pay for the plot, like everyone else. She hopes to have the centre completed within two years. She has been supported in the past by local shops donating bread and greens, but most of the time she is feeding the children from her own pocket.

Donations needed

She hopes to get enough donations to really make a difference Grootfontein . “We call on businesses and donors to lend us a helping hand. We really want to make a success. Contact Petrus at 0818087265.

Beginning under a tree

Years ago Petrus started gathering vulnrable and orphaned children under a tree to give them food.

“It wasn’t easy starting this centre, but God is in control – always,” she said.

She dreams of also building a library and a place where the children can learn basic computer skills.

She hopes that the centre will later also be a home to the town’s homeless.