The official launch of the Liqui Moly Superhero Academy has brought new hope to a homeless community in Boksburg, Gauteng.
Since 1999, families in desperate need of shelter, food and medical care have taken refuge at the New Beginnings Care Centre. The facility has an occupancy rate of approximately 1400 people, many of which are children.
Education is provided at a crèche on-site, but without sufficient funding and support, this has taken place in frightening conditions.
“These children were in filthy conditions, and growing up in complete sadness. I bought into this amazing dream of uplifting an entire community, starting with little children from three months old right up to matric students. This is going to be a miracle place,” said Leigh Scheepers, principal of the Liqui Moly Superhero Academy.
The Liqui Moly team were approached about investing in the structure of the day care, which they soon discovered was nothing more than dilapidated garden sheds. The facility was beyond repair, and would have to be demolished and built from the ground.
In collaboration with Joint Aid Management (JAM), the team has worked around the clock for the last three months to create a new environment for the children of the Care Centre.
"When we first came to this centre, I saw a lot of heartache and hopelessness. Many of the adults who arrive here have been sleeping on the streets and are suffering from things like addictions and unemployment. The thing is, young children who cannot fend for themselves often arrive with them. That's where Liqui Moly wants to step in - we want to reach out to those helpless children and make a difference in their lives. They are the future of South Africa," commented an emotional Melicia Labuschagne, managing director of Liqui Moly SA.
On 23 February close to a hundred little faces eagerly gathered behind the red ribbon that was strung across the entrance to their new day care.
It was heart-warming scene as they ran to discover completely new classrooms, a colourful playground and even a track with plastic motorcycles begging to be used. Infants were placed in sturdy cots and surrounded by bright, artistic paintings that covered the walls.
Amanda van Niekerk lives at New Beginnings with her husband and two children. As a witness to the transformation of the day care, she said: “This doesn’t just bring joy to my children, but complete security to me as a mother. Just look at the excitement in my children’s eyes… I can’t describe how grateful I am.”
