CARE CENTRE
MISSIONVALE
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About the Missionvale Care Centre
The area of Missionvale has one of the highest rates of unemployment in Port Elizabeth, as 74% of people living in Missionvale are unemployed. The population of this community is estimated at around 130 000, and in most cases, people live in conditions of severe poverty. Most individuals depend on getting water from communal taps around the township which implies that the ablution facilities are unsatisfactory.
Although there are two primary schools in this area; Missionvale Care Centre Academy and Missionvale Primary, there is not a single high school.
Owing to this, many grade 7 learners don’t end up going to high school. Schools fees and transport into the Northern Areas where high schools are situated are a problem for these students and their parents. Through this lack of education, the cycle of poverty is continued in this area.
The Missionvale Care Centre has made pleas to the Department of Education as well as the Department of Social Services for the development of a high school. However, these pleas have been declined.
The Centre and its phenomenal staff work hard to ensure that the people of this community are able to receive daily necessities; things that you and I may in many instances take for granted.
Being a non-governmental as well as a non-profit organisation, the Centre relies solely on the help of donors and volunteers.
Pastor Rojamani Goldman, the current manager of the centre, says that, “Together everyone can achieve more. When we work as a team, our dream at Missionvale becomes reality.
Everyone has their part to play: from the man who opens the gate, to the teachers at the school and the volunteers who help us care for the sick.”
The Centre is certainly trying its best to support those who have the heavy cross of poverty to bear.
The Missionvale Care Centre Staff sing songs of praise every morning. Here they sing 'Die Heer is my herder.'
Esterlene Campbell speaks about the work she and the Health Care Unit staff do on a daily basis.
Pastor Roji Goldman explains how the Missionvale Care Centre is able to run as efficiently as it does. She touches on various aspects that further explain the holistic approach of the centre to development of this community.