Church blesses struggling orphanage with donations

ENKAZIMULWENI orphanage in Ziphunzana received a much-needed boost this past weekend when the Amalinda Methodist Church society donated food, toiletries and clothes for the children.

Reverend Bulelani Matthews from the church said they had seen the orphanage’s dire need for supplies and decided to lend a helping hand.

Matthews said the church was planning to adopt the orphanage under its wing.

“This is my first year in this circuit, but hearing from the elders of the society, this is the second time they have visited this home,” he said.

The orphanage was established in 1991 Nonkululeko Gloria Maneli, 64.

Enkazimulweni orphanage has not ever had any financial backing, and has survived purely on handouts from churches.

It caters for more than 15 children and several adults who are disabled or HIV-positive.

“Words cannot describe how happy I am to see by men of God coming here and blessing us with these gifts,” said Maneli.

With the help of her daughter and three other women, Maneli has miraculously kept the orphanage running for years.

The outreach is part of responsibility initiative.

Chairman of Circuit 313, Letlaka Ndamase said: “The church has five mission pillars, one of them being human development and social responsibilities to ensure the well-being of communities outside the church premises.

“Our congregation came to a realisation that we exist within a community – that means we cannot isolate ourselves from things that are happening in our communities.

“If you understand the gospel, you will know that the purpose has always been to change people’s lives,” said Ndamase.

The project was initially started Methodist youth but the elders took themselves to adopt it. — dispatch.co.za the church’s social by the it upon