THE Wits Association of Catholic Tertiary Students’ (ACTS) mentorship programme offers tutoring and mentoring to orphans at St. Joseph children’s home in Sophiatown.
“[WE] mentor those kids, play with them during the day, tutor them, [and] if there’s anyone who needs help with assignments and homework, we help them with that,” said ACTS chairperson Sitholithemba Makhanya. She said they go to the home twice a month on a Saturday from 10am to 1pm.
The ages of the children at the home range from 3-18 year olds. Makhanya said there are two matric scholars and the youngest orphan is around two years old. She said they chose to support St Joseph children’s home because it was neglected by other volunteer groups.
ACTS outreach officer Mamoletsana Chabalala said ACTS is the only student committee from Wits to go to the children’s home but sometimes they struggle to get enough volunteers. ACTS members have to use their own money for transport to St. Joseph’s and a few volunteers have a lot of responsibilities.
Chabalala said they struggle with offering sufficient educational games to the children.
“But other than that everything is good,” she said.
Makhanya said their next visit to the home will be on May 21 and they would like for more students to get involved.
“The outreach programme is not only for Catholics but for society at large,” she said.
The ACTS society is also involved with the Wits Citizen Community Outreach (WCCO) and collects toiletries and basic necessities from residences and church members to donate to student campaigns. Makhanya said they also help the church with the soup kitchen for the homeless every Monday evening.
Makhanya said ACTS would like to thank the students, residences and church members for their contributions and donations towards the needy.
Contact Sitholithemba Makhanya 071 835 5512 or Mamoletsana Chabalala 073 112 1215 to get involved.
