Community work has been her calling and God’s purpose for her life has kept that fire burning for the past 20 years.
Caring for her mother and mother’s friend showed her the very need for care in the community of Hanover Park, and on their deaths the Hanover Roses was born.
The brainchild of Wareldia Julius, the organisation runs several programmes, caring for seniors, feeding around 250 locals daily and a crafts project offered free to all ages at the community centre in Hanover Park.
Next year, she hopes to revive the much-loved and sought-after sewing skills project which in previous years aided in reducing unemployment plaguing the area.
“We officially registered in 2006. Before then, from the time we started in 2003, we worked from our pockets. At that time, there was so much passion for helping others in the community.
People would put their hand in their pocket,” she says.
“I started with one small pot of food, because the need even then was so great in Hanover Park. Since we have registered, we receive funding from the Western Cape Provincial Department of Social Development, which helps us to cook every day from Monday to Friday.”
The organisation held a 20th anniversary celebration on Saturday 23 September at Turfhall Stadium with a list of invited guests and dignitaries.
The tables boasted some crafts created by a group of youths with disabilities, who work closely with Julius.
Hanover Park is an area riddled with drug addiction, a scourge that can be tackled with the help of employment and meaningful engagement, she believes.
“We are surrounded by so many churches, but, unfortunately all the buildings are closed. In order to rehabilitate these addicts, they should be given something to do, like gardening,” she says.
“Having a building is one thing, but we need to give them love. Start with a hug. They also need to have good meals and replace the craving with something else.”
While the past 20 years have been a success, Julius feels she can and wants to do more.
“Our biggest need at the moment is to have our own venue to do the cooking. I used to do it from home, but it became too cramped. At the moment, we hire a garage to do the cooking and feeding,” she says.
Her next goal is to approach various authorities around the vacant land parcels all over Hanover Park, followed by a call for a donated container to continue to grow the project.
“Because of the venue for feeding, funding is channelled through a conduit. I would like to do the buying myself, because I feel there is so much more we can do,” she says.
“There are hungry children walking past and asking for something to eat on their way to school. I know they do get some meals at school, but a hungry child is not a nice thing. I give what I can, when I have. But this is something I want to do.”
While the past 20 years have had their fair share of both ups and downs, Julius says the divine calling on her life will see her through.
“This really is my passion. God is using me as a tool and the knowledge that this is his work, keeping me going. I am now 61, but I still feel I can keep going. I will continue,” she says.
