Inspired to bring a positive change
BEAUTIFUL minds inspire others, and they have the ability to make positive changes.
This is what inspires Janine Poggenpoel to do her bit as a volunteer each day at Philisa Abafazi Bethu shelter in Lavender Hill.
Poggenpoel is a qualified social worker by profession, but the passion in her life is working as a volunteer at Philisa Abafazi Bethu shelter.
For the past eight years, the 65-year-old has been working at the shelter doing workshop presentations, hosting children’s development programmes, as well as running the women empowerment training programme, which offers lifeskills sessions for women to develop independence.
Philisa Abafazi Bethu is a 24-hour emergency shelter service for women and children who are victims of sexual and domestic violence.
“I really enjoy what I am doing. Our women face too many intolerable situations in our local communities.
“Some are uneducated about what measures to take when they face issues such as domestic violence, and this is among the things which inspired me to volunteer at the shelter,” she said.
Poggenpoel believes nothing beats helping women in need of empowerment, finding care and providing the life skills necessary to gain better care for themselves and their families.
Lucinda Evans, supervisor and founder of Philisa Abafazi Bethu, said Poggenpoel has played a positive role in the shelter.
“Throughout the years she has been great asset and wonderful to work with. We have been fortunate to have her around, she has helped so well with the programmes that we offer for women and showed an incredible attitude,” said Evans.
To find out more about Poggenpoel and how she makes a difference, see the Be The Change Cape Facebook page.