On the 23rd of November 2002, Life Evangelism International held community event out in the township of Soshenguve North of Pretoria).
It was called the day of the Destitute, and was held in the Miracle Valley Church hall. This event was attended by various church and community leaders in that area. It was also attended by various Governmental Social workers.

We wanted to help these people to be able to get grants from the Government that didn’t know they were eligible – or couldn’t get to the city in order to see the Government dept.
We also wanted this to be like a Christmas function for them, full of joy, fun and laughter.

We had at this function approximately 260 people, of which the majorities were people of the following categories: HIV/AIDS Orphans, Homeless families, HIV/AIDS victims, Grandparents parenting their grandchildren (as the true parents had both died of HIV/AIDS), unemployed, and street children.

We had some t-shirts/ golf shirts donated by Powerhouse Clothing Promotions in Durban, and also had a Christmas cake donated by the local Post Net at Cornwall View Pretoria.

The function started with several songs and dancing, which then preceded with different speeches, made first by the chairman of the project committee, followed by a high standing Social Worker of the Tswane area, then also by Des Sinclair.

The main theme was on the subject of communities pulling together and helping each other out in order to fight poverty. It was also on the theme of HIV/AIDS, and to forget the denial of it, with once again, the community railing together in order to help fight this problem.

After the speeches, we then had the Destitute people stand in a line, in order to receive HIV/AIDS booklets and a new T-shirt  / Golf shirt. It was a great and joyous day for the destitute people of Soshenguve


The people were highly excited, and found it hard to wait for their NEW shirts.
As soon as they got them, many wore them overtop of their other clothes immediately, wanting to proudly wear and show off to everyone.

SOSHEGUVE TOWNSHIP:

We had the privilege of being able to help people in Soshenguve Township this month, in the area of being able to hand out adult clothing, babies clothes and toys and many other bits’ & pieces.

The people out there were all very delighted and overjoyed at the love-gifts that were sent. They were all very blessed. The area we work in out in the township is a very poor slum area where the people have nothing…....hardly a roof over their heads  – let alone toys for their babies etc.
They were given many jerseys and suits and other warm items, so this being the South African Winter period  –  they were very thankful to everyone who contributed in giving!

To the children that followed after the adults, we then handed out many sweeties.
We then had the official cutting of cake, and handing out of pieces to each person.     
 After everyone received their piece of cake, HIV/AIDS booklet and their new shirt, they then went outside and were all given a free luncheon of beef, veggie’s and pop.

Diepsloot Township:

On the Easter Sunday 2004 as we all celebrated the resurrection of our Lord, we also celebrated by handing out to the people:  free Sunday school booklets to the children, free HIV/AIDS booklets to the adults and free clothing.
 The Pastor and his wife also handed out free Easter eggs for the children.

The people there in the township were very blessed and joyful that Sunday.
Even when the meeting was over they didn’t want to stop dancing with joy and thankfulness.