A VOICE TO ECHO

Harvesting Nations is working alongside a Voice to Echo in the informal settlement of Msawawa, located in Kya Sands. It is not far from Malibongwe and Witkoppen road.

There are approximately 4000 informal dwellings and 16000 people. Many of these people are from other parts of Africa, and largely unemployed with several children. There are many single parents with girls becoming pregnant at young ages. The land has been occupied illegal for approximately 20 years. The South African word is “squatting” and that is where the word squatter camp is derived. The dwellings are mostly made of tin or wooden boards and are in close proximity to each other. This makes fire extremely dangerous to this community.

Because they are squatting on the land, no permanent structure may be erected and permanent plans for education cannot be made. Children currently walk long distances to get to school and for those who can afford transport, this leaves little money over for basic needs such as food. There were failed plans to relocated them in 2017.

There is a desperate need for job creation and education in this community. Crime is high and the hygiene facilities are of a poor standard. There are limited portable toilets, and central taps where people can draw water. Often the taps leak causing mud piles on the little dirt roads.

There have been several cases of fires where people have lost everything and some cases of death. As a result, people come in to assist but a lot of rubble is left behind leaving a stench for those who live around these rubble heaps.

We are working alongside those in authority to see what can be done for this community with the assistance of people like yourselves that are reading this and would like to help those that are very poor.

A tent is erected every Sunday in Kya Sands pipeline and Gospel services held from 9:30am to 11:30am. Johnson Peter is the Senior Pastor for this church with the assistance of his wife Charmain, their worship leader David from Zimbabwe and the help of community.

Separate areas are set aside to minister to the children and youth during those service times. The children and youth are fed after the service and adults once a month.

Clothes that are donated are fitted on the children to ensure that the clothes go to the correct child. Small babies clothes are given to the mothers with the child present.

Special outreach services are held monthly along with a bible study.

Background to a Voice to Echo and Msawawa

A Voice to Echo was formed in 2014 by Lynn Petzer, her daughter Jade and Val Mpofu. Jade had a project to do on CSR which Lynn and Val assisted her with and were inspired to start helping people. They were listening to Demi Levato’s song which spoke of A Voice to Echo…

Tendai was next to join. She tried to donate blankets at one of the hospitals but failed as it was such a long process to donate. Then 2015 Easter, Jade had a project on CSR again Lynn and herself decided to buy Easter eggs that they wanted to hand out.

Lovemore (bible study member) suggested that they go to a Township called Msawawa. That is how they became affiliated to Msawawa. They went and gave out about a 1000 Easter eggs. It was meant to be a once off, but they had a connection with the people of Msawawa including their leader, Sugar.

Pastor Chris then got in touch with Pastor Johnny and his wife Charmain to see if they could assist with the gospel message in Msawawa. This is how Johnny and Charmain became a part of the team in 2015. Over 3000 bibles were handed out in Msawawa with the gospel message being preached on several occupations and many blankets were handed out.

In 2016 A Voice to Echo bought a tent, equipment etc. and asked Pastor Johnny to start a church. Due to the amount of work involved in setting up a tent and the manpower required, as well as other commitments, Pastor Johnny agreed to do this every second weekend and on special occasions.

A Voice to Echo’s Vision has always been about “teaching the people to fish”.

A Voice to Echo is an NPO with a heart to bless the poor people with essentials whilst telling them about Jesus.