Springs’s public benefit organisation, Call her Blessed is a non-profit organisation that caters to abused women and children as well as destitute pregnant women who want to keep their babies after giving birth.
The centre also equips women with life skills on how to become independent through work4aliving, parenting skills, and Garden for life courses.
The name Call her Blessed was derived from a Bible verse that teaches how women should be like according to God’s principles.
Founder of the shelter, Sarie de Jager founded the shelter because she saw a need in the area how abused mothers and children, and destitute pregnant women needed a place of comfort and safety.
For the past six years, the shelter did not do major fundraising. They survived on churches, businesses, and individuals who assisted with donations and funds. The shelter is currently in need of sponsors and volunteers for fundraisers and children caregivers who will assist while the mothers are out to equip themselves.
“One of our biggest challenges is the monthly expenses towards the Estate levies, Municipality account, electricity, and gas. The shelter is also in need of funds for the Toyota Quantum bus that the shelter uses for transporting women and children to events, church gatherings, and courses,”
“The outstanding amount for the minibus is about R153 000-00. There are also other general needs like repairs to our lawnmower, washing machines, fridges, and freezers,” said Dominique Stevenson, a fundraising volunteer at the shelter.
Safety being the number one priority of the shelter, the specific location of the centre cannot be disclosed. When people contact the centre regarding donations, they give them a location where donations can be dropped off.
“We aim to protect and love these mothers. We need to make sure that they are protected always and feel safe at all times because this is their place of comfort,” added Stevenson.
Women in need can contact Mrs de Jager on 083 622 1494 to find out if there are any openings or check on the shelter’s website https://callherblessedsa.co.za/ to find out more details on where to report GBV cases or information regarding the shelter and who to contact, depending on the circumstance.
Anyone who would like to donate anything towards the shelter can contact Dominique Stevenson on 082 694 3870 or Sandra Hlungwane the house mother on 066 356 2337. The shelter can also be reached via email at callherblessedsa.co.za.
By Legale Rose Lekheimane
