renovation of Riet Family Shelter
5 December 2007
The Riet Family Guidance Centre, a shelter for abused women and children in
Randfontein on the West Rand, which was established in 1990, today, Wednesday,
5 December 2007, received a major facelift.
Gauteng MEC for Housing, Nomvula Mokonyane and representative from Xhasa
Account and Technical Administrator (ATC) donned overalls to give this shelter
a new image. Last year the Gauteng Department of Housing adopted 16 shelters
which were in dire need of repairs. Of the 16, five were renovated. Mokonyane
promised then that the department would continue to look for sponsors to
renovate the remaining shelters. The Riet Family Guidance Shelter presently
accommodates more than 33 orphans and abused women. It is also dedicated to
promote the rights of children and women, the disabled, the destitute and
people living and affected by HIV.
"We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to plight of many women and children
who continue to suffer abuse. Ours is to make sure that while these women and
children receive assistance and counselling they are housed in a safe and
conducive environment," said Mokonyane.
Riet is a shelter that strives to uphold universally accepted humanitarian
values, and aims to encourage self-reliance and participation that are
innovative and realistic as well as counselling victims, rehabilitation and job
creation.
The centre is being renovated through the Letsema programme which is an old
tradition whereby members of a community help each other with tasks that are
too difficult for one family, without requiring any favour in return. The
primary objective of the programme is to engage the officials from the
department and Xhasa ATC to assist in painting and tiling the interior of the
shelter.
For more information contact:
Aviva Manqa
Department of Housing
Cell: 083 600 3830
Mandla Sidu
Department of Housing
Cell: 083 602 6169
Issued by: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government
5 December 2007
