This is a very important milestone for ECH because it now means we can formally register the home with DOSD and make provision to offer care and shelter for more children. Being an NPO helps strengthen our creditibility because we are now held in account to a public office and we can hopefully find ways of getting benefits like tax incentives and funding opportunities.
The NPO that is named 'Emmanuel Children's Home' now oversees the management and planning of everything related to the home. It operates based on principles set out in an official constitution which has signed by the following board members:
- Bertus Deysel (Chairperson)
- Thandiwe Mblane, teacher at Nonyaniso Primary School (Treasurer)
- Donald Smiles, Politician for the DA Party (Advisor)
- Stanford Calvert, Manager of Good Shepherd Hospice (Advisor)
- Zolile Gladstone Masimini, Regional Counsel Member (Advisor)
- Carol Deysel (Secretary)
We believe we have a Board which is representative of the whole Middelburg community and will ensure everything the Emmanuel Children's Home does is in the children's and community's best interests. It is our intention to work in a positive partnership with everyone in the community and the Department of Social Development, reinforcing family values and providing refuge where no other home can be found.
