The help for Yeoville's Noah's Ark is still streaming in. From Yeoville eight new volunteers were sourced, the Observatory Ratepayers Association's vegetable garden should be in place by March - and the best news? One of our residents, Keith, was so touched by Noah's plight he donated his motorcycle to be auctioned off for funds.
Keith, who lives in Observatory Avenue - and is a bit publicity shy - donated his bike, Faith, to The Star to auction off. The funds raised through the auction will be shared by Yeoville Noah and a children's home in Milpark.
'Motorbikes have been my life, but a horrific car crash put paid to my days as a biker. I had to learn to walk again and severe back injuries prevented me from ever riding a bike again,' he says.
Keith's friends custom-built Faith for him. "She's a beautiful bike - but I can't ride her. So when my mom, Wendy Michaelis, told me about Yeoville Noah's plight, I decided to donate my bike,' he says.
Thanks, Keith! And we'll keep you posted on when the auction will be.
Posted 26 January 2007 by
Your helping hand
To all the HUNDREDS of people who have phoned/sent e-mails/are collecting for Noah's Ark in Yeoville the following should make all clearer:
1. Noah's Ark in Yeoville has no office as such - call it a "virtual" centre, rather. The 4 volunteers run the feeding scheme and aftercare from The Yeoville Community School, corner Bedford & Muller Street, Yeoville from Monday to Friday 8am until 5pm. Pop in there with whatever you want to donate (or I'll pick up and deliver, 648 0027). Phone Gloria beforehand if you want to meet her as she is madly running around. Her cell is 076 906 2504.
2. The Gauteng head office of Noah supplies Gloria with her monthly monies. It is in Rivonia if you wish to pop in there:
Physical Address
(Cell C building) 2nd Floor 345 Rivonia Boulevard Rivonia 2128
Postal Address
Box 4043 Rivonia 2128
Phone: 011 234 2270
Fax: 011 234 2271
3. If you want to make a donation use the following banking details and as a REFERENCE specify YEOVILLE NOAH. Phone Sarah 072 328 6062 or Humbu 082 379 0550 if you want to make doubly sure:
I couldn't trace whether it is a Section 21 company or find a fundraising number for tax rebate, but to give you an idea of what your rands will do, CLICK HERE
Posted 6 November 2006 by
Yeoville's Noah's Ark to close down
Noah’s Ark in Yeoville is closing down. 150 orphans will now not get any more daily hugs; a plate of food; the adult supervision they so desperately seek. The semblance of normality in their lives will disappear – because the four solitary souls running this haven just can’t do it on their own anymore, Gloria Nhlabathi, manager of Noah in Yeoville said on Radio Today’s Voice of the Suburbs today (Saturday, 28 October).
“We are four people running this Ark for Nurturing Orphans of Aids for Humanity (Noah): 2 cook full-time, one looks after these little souls in the afternoon, and I run around trying to save what can be saved,” said Nhlabathi. “We don’t know who to turn to anymore.”
“I have asked far and wide: food and donations from businesses in Yeoville; a plea for volunteers; even the ANC councilor in our area was approached. It all just fell on deaf ears,” a desperate Nhlabathi said. “If we want to keep our doors open, it has to happen now. The communities in and around Yeoville must now roll up their sleeves and get involved or we’ll have to turn these vulnerable children away.”
The Yeoville Ark supplies one nourishing meal to each of the kids 5 times a week and uses the facilities of the Yeoville Community School in Muller Street as an after-care centre for their charges. “But even this arrangement may end soon, as we have just too few people involved. One person can’t possibly control 150 children, ranging in age between 7 and 14 years.”
Nhlabathi’s wish list is long: 100 chairs; 10 tables; a radio; board puzzles; a computer and printer; food. “We say no to nothing,” Nhlabathi said.
But their biggest need is for volunteers. “Support volunteers who can help with counseling, fundraising, and maintenance. And then community volunteers: we need at least 20 volunteers who would each visit five children a week to discuss problems, help the kids to obtain birth certificates and government grants – and just love these children. They are so starved for love and attention.”
The Observatory Ratepayers Association (ORA) decided to help Gloria’s team in a small way: they will establish a vegetable garden for the kids on the school’s premises, complete with an apple tree and a scarecrow. “Not only will the kids learn to nurture Mother Earth, but Mother Earth will reward them richly with fresh vegetables and organically grown salad and fruit,” said Carine Hartman, chairwoman of ORA and presenter of Voice of the Suburbs. “It is truly a small gesture, but we, as a society, cannot turn our backs on children in need. Our lives are hectic and Gloria is asking for time, not money – but even that will be more than welcome. We easily dig into our pockets for a take-away meal or movie ticket. If you just donate those couple of cents, it may help pay towards the salary of at least another helper. And send that unused ball to Gloria; or that little chair your child has outgrown. The raindrops will eventually fill the dam.”
Can you help in a small way? Phone Gloria on 076 906 2504. “My cell phone is the only way of contacting the outside world. The Ark doesn’t even have a landline.” Make that call – and make a difference…
Contact Gloria on 076 906 2504 or Carine on 011 648 0027 or
