MyPE

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Upgrades to Walmer NPO help keep poverty-stricken residents fed 

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It’s the season for giving and Boardwalk hotel and casino has once again assisted a Gqeberha non-profit organisation to uplift the needy in the community, spending close to R300 000 on upgrades.

Healing Minds Community Services, a soup kitchen and day care centre in Walmer township, transfers skills to unemployed women in cookery, sewing, beadwork, gardening and knitting.

Boardwalk has supported Healing Minds since 2017 and has previously provided a computer room, sewing room, kitchen upgrade and several donations of non-perishable items. “We have now completed a R277 000 renovation which included a new roof, bathroom sanitaryware upgrade, painting, replacing doors and windows, ceilings, electrical installations,” said Boardwalk General Manager Tati Tsunke. Recycling company ITAD Africa sponsored R10 000 for water tanks. 

 “Coca-Cola installed a R350 000 bakery for the organisation, and Boardwalk has followed through on this by having our talented chefs train the women to bake bread and cakes to sell to the local community,” said Tsunke.  Boardwalk’s donations to Healing Minds in the past five years total more than R600 000. 

Raising money by selling baked goods and beadwork helps Healing Minds sustain themselves, as they feed an average of 120 people daily, running a creche with 52 kids, an aftercare facility as well as a feeding scheme.

Nontembiso Mangaliso, Healing Minds Founder, said challenges included having many mouths to feed and not enough food. “Boardwalk has helped us to give more people a plate of food. Many of our recipients have to survive on their government pension grant alone,” said Mangaliso. The NPO has a vegetable garden which supplements their food.

“Private-public partnerships like this are key to help address the challenges faced by many Walmer township residents.  We are happy to do what we can to help these marginalised members of our community to improve their lives,” Tsunke said. 

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.