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New leaders for home for abandoned babies
Thursday 15 September 2016 I For immediate release
Ethembeni, The Salvation Army’s home for abandoned babies, is soon to undergo a leadership change, with Captains Heather and Neil Rossouw moving on and a new leader, Captain Bongi Zulu taking their place.
Ethembeni, which means “place of hope”, caters for children from birth to 3 years of age who are HIV positive, abandoned, abused and neglected.
The home opened in 1995, and since then has had nearly 1200 babies through its doors.
Some have been fostered or adopted, some have been returned to their families, some have passed away, and others transferred to other facilities for ongoing care.
Major Carin Holmes, PR Secretary for The Salvation Army Southern Africa Territory, says: “The children are brought to us from various places. They are found in black rubbish bags, in dustbins, on rubbish dumps, in shebeens, at taxi ranks, or sometimes left at the hospital after delivery. Some have been abandoned with strangers or left without care for long hours.”
Currently, the home is caring for 53 children.
Captains Heather and Neil Rossouw have spent the last six years at Ethembeni, in the process building the reputation of the home as a place of quality care for babies.
The couple will become administrators at The Salvation Army’s Beth Rogelim Men’s Hostel in the Western Cape.
Capain Zulu, who will replace them, is currently stationed in Northern KwaZulu/Natal at Ulundi corps (church) and crèche.
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God, and its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs without discrimination.
The Southern Africa Territory of The Salvation Army encompasses four countries – South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland – and the island of St Helena. Its officers, soldiers and full-time employees provide their spiritual and community services through approximately 230 corps (churches), societies and outposts, as well as through schools, hospitals, institutions for children, street children, the elderly, men and abused women, and daycare, goodwill, rehabilitation and social centres.
ISSUED BY QUO VADIS COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE SALVATION ARMY
Media Contact: Ruth Coggin
Tel: 011-487-0026
Cell: 082-903-5819
CLICK HERE to e-mail Ruth Coggin
Client Contact: Major Carin Holmes
Public Relations Secretary
Tel: 011-718-6745
Cell: 082-994-4351
CLICK HERE to e-mail Carin Holmes
