Established in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Concern Neighbours Newfields Village has been honoured by the local sub-council for the work it does in the community.
Established in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Concern Neighbours Newfields Village has been honoured by the local sub-council for the work it does in the community.
Chair and founder of the non-profit organisation (NPO) Riedewaan Lawrence said the organisation was established to feed the less fortunate in the community. They have since worked tirelessly for the betterment of needy people’s lives.
“Our target is to cook twice a week, but unfortunately we do not have the funds to do this,” he said. “The most pressing need we have are vegetables, any ones we can get to cook, so we can distribute food in our community.”
Despite its challenges Concern Neighbours is active in various projects in the area, keeping the youth active and families busy with fun activities.
“With help and commitment from my executive we managed to have a 5 km Spring Fun Big Walk and recently we had an 8 km Valentine-themed Fun Big Walk,” Lawrence said. Another programme is getting young boys and men through programmes, learning employable skills.
“We are in the process of getting the youth together here in Newfields Village to learn basic skills to do welding and sewing for the girls,” said Lawrence.
The organisation comprises six executive members. “It’s important for us to continue this,” Lawrence emphasised, “as we saw a big need for a soup kitchen in our community. We, the Concern Neighbours feeding scheme, ask the Almighty to open a door for us so we can continue the wonderful work.” he says.
Ward 47 councillor Antonio van der Rheede handed a civic-honours certificate over to the executive for the work they have done in uplifting the community over the past four years.
