Samaritan Network: Over two decades of community service
Maria Khaises launched the Samaritan Network - a non-profit, community-based humanitarian organisation - in 2001. Beginning with a basic feeding programme under a tree in the Blikkies Dorp informal settlement, the organisation since grown into a vital lifeline for the community's most vulnerable members.Founder and project coordinator Khaises started the initiative after recognising the unmet basic needs of community members, particularly women and children, in Blikkies Dorp.
The Samaritan Network's journey gained traction with the assistance of a European non-governmental organisation, which provided critical funding for the construction of a centre that now functions as its operational hub.
Its primary focus is on supporting the most vulnerable - notably orphaned, homeless and neglected children from economically disadvantaged families.
The organisation tries to assist these persons in reclaiming their lost dignity and discovering their life's purpose, cultivating skills and potential that can transform them into valuable, self-sustaining citizens, Khaises said.
Programmes
The Samaritan Network operates several programmes to address the diverse needs of the community:
1. Soup kitchen: Offering meals twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays, providing sustenance and a sense of community.
2. Home-based care: Providing essential support to individuals on antiretroviral (ARV) medication, including food hampers, psycho-social support and counselling.
3. OVC programme: Enabling access to education for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) by covering school fees, uniforms and stationery when financial resources permit.
4. Kids' club: Engaging children in creative activities to keep them off the streets, helping them discover and nurture their talents.
5. Income-generating activities: Promoting self-sustainability and poverty alleviation by creating employment opportunities, especially for women and youth.
6. Training and development: Offering skills and leadership training to empower community members, including basic literacy training, pre-school education and arts training.
7. Spiritual fellowship: Uplifting the spirit through Biblical teachings, recognising the importance of holistic well-being.
Food hampers
As it prepares to close for the year in December, the Samaritan Network plans to provide food hampers to underprivileged families, ensuring they have nutritious meals throughout the holiday season. The organisation's dedication to community service extends beyond its local surrounds, as it encourages individuals to join the network and make a difference in their own areas. The Samaritan Network has grown into a steady support system for school dropouts, women, vulnerable children and the elderly throughout the years.
The organisation's legacy lies not only in the projects it initiates, but also in the lives it touches and transforms. The Samaritan Network remains committed to meaningful and significant projects as it reflects on its motto: 'We are servants in service to serve others'.