Jean Guthrie supports the Ebenezer Child Care Centre which is run by Edith Morake, a remarkable woman of over 80 years old, who takes care of 45 children, ranging from 2 – 21 years old, all of whom have been abandoned, orphaned or victims of severe poverty.
The Ebenezer Child Care Centre, had humble beginnings in Evaton in 1978. It has since been transformed into a semi-brick house - a dream come true for Edith, who had a vision that she would have a place of care and safety for desperate and forgotten children, called ‘Ebenezer’ – which means ‘Rock of Help’.
The semi-brick dwelling is small but has the basic amenities i.e. water and electricity and accommodates up to 11 children per room, with only 2 bathrooms. Part of the dwelling is built out of corrugated iron – freezing in winter and extremely hot in summer. The neat garden is used to plant vegetables and also holds corrugated containers that accommodate some of the older children.
The Ebenezer Child Care Centre relies on a combined pension income and government grant of R1430 a month, which is required to feed and clothe all the children and pay 4 staff salaries, which is totally insufficient and so donations and sponsorships are vital to keep this Child Care Centre running.
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