A trail of goodwill is extending from Polokwane to an informal settlement on the outskirts of the city, where close to 60 vulnerable little ones and their families are benefitting from food and clothing donations through a joint drive steered by local businesswoman Cheray Jackson and the leadership of the Greenside Extension 78 Campus of Emmanuel Tabernacle Church.
With the effects of lockdown having had an adverse impact on the children she passionately engages with during weekly Bible lessons, conducted in her capacity as Sunday School teacher as part of an ongoing Emmanuel Tabernacle Church ministry programme, heightened feelings of concern spurred Cheray on to raise donations to assist the community she has been involved in the past 14 years. However, she claims, the foodstuffs dropped off thus far since the beginning of lockdown have been welcome but sadly inadequate considering the increasing need.
It was learnt that to date three bakkie loads of fruit and vegetables, 73 bags of maize meal in 10 kg and 12,5 kg respectively, 46 buckets containing non-perishable supplies and items of clothing have been distributed on three occasions after donations received from businesspeople, acquaintances, friends and family. While the situation continues to appear dire, she is continuously raising donations to channel more assistance to relieve the plight of “my children”.
Cheray tells of a labour of love that emanates from a calling from God that has witnessed her unwavering commitment to teaching Sunday school long before the mass relocation to Greenside from adjacent New Pietersburg situated on the other side of the double carriage way to Seshego. Throughout the years they have missed out on class on rare occasions and in rainy conditions while still having lessons under a tree. In spite of their circumstances they always radiate contentment and happiness, she emphasises.
Last July an upgrade arrived in the form of a corrugated iron structure put up by Businesspeople For Jesus, which has been involved in outreaches in the area from the onset. She explains that she has been privileged to be part of the vision of the organisation Businesspeople For Jesus, founded by Emmanuel Tabernacle Church congregants Kobie Venter and Jacques Joubert as well as Pastors Bruno Zanna and Darryn Eckstein. They were later joined by Pastor Clever Tembo.
What started with Wednesday evening gospel movie screenings in New Pietersburg in 2007 grew into weekly church sermons, by then attracting around 80 kids to the open-air sessions while their parents attended services in a temporary structure. Following the relocation, Cheray and Dora Thoka - who assists with the Sunday school activities - are still met by an estimated 60 children at times. A third of the children, she indicates, shows up unaccompanied for their weekly lessons with a Sunday school teacher who seemingly enjoys class even more than they do. She mentions that her interaction with the youngsters, divided into two groups at a time, extends far beyond the weekly themes but includes guidance to in a way equip them for their life journeys.
Cheray, who at times relies on her theatrical abilities to keep her audience entertained, evidently speaks with passion of the path she has travelled with them. She remarks that having been confronted by the shocking realisation of the current conditions they are being exposed to left her devastated and she couldn't sit by idly and simply look on without doing anything to help.
In an attempt to divert the discussion away from the gloom, she fondly relates the story of Jerry Ngobeni who was sent to Sunday school by his mother and upon moving to Gauteng six years ago has been instrumental in the Youth Christian Campaign from his base in Diepkloof in Soweto, Johannesburg. In the imagery Cheray forwards interested parties are invited to three days of live streaming of an event that started yesterday.
For purposes of channelling donations towards the drive, Cheray can be reached on +27 84 556 4956.
*Photos supplied depict a feisty Cheray Jackson talking about a labour of love and teaching one of her Sunday lessons, an open-air session on the way and Jerry Ngobeni, who reportedly relocated to Diepkloof in Johannesburg where he is engaged in youth ministry.
Comments