A very successful fundraising event was held at Salt and Pepper in Welkom to help realise the dream of opening the Rapha Holistic Sanctuary, a much needed safe house for victims of gender-based violence.
Rapha is a registered holistic clinic aimed at relieving the plight brought on by gender-based violence.
On 11 June people from all walks of life, with one mission in common, converged at the venue to take part in information sessions and workshops pertaining to gender-based violence.
Also forming part of the day-long programme was dancing, poetry and singing. The AFM Church from Kutloanong provided the praise and worship, and three women stood up and gave their testimony.
“Overall it was a very successful day,” says Lee-Ann Abrahams, public relations officer for the Rapha Foundation.
Pieter Bonthuyzen was the DJ for the day.
George Jacobs, founder of the foundation, told Vista that their mission is to establish a sanctuary that supports physically, emotionally and sexually abused women, men and children.
“People who need to escape from domestic and other abuse will have a place of safety at the Rapha Holistic Sanctuary,” says Jacobs.
The Rapha Foundation supplies and feeds 9 091 hungry and poor people throughout the Goldfields.
“Statistics show that one in six children suffer from malnutrition and 25% of people in South Africa go hungry. Poverty has no colour, creed or culture,” he says.
Jacobs says the number of domestic violence cases soared during the pandemic and a place of safety has become imperative as a last refuge for abused women, mothers with children and men.
National statistics indicate that one in four women are in abusive relationships, every eight minutes a child is abused, every 24 minutes a child is raped and every six days a woman is killed by her intimate male partner.
“With the establishment of the sanctuary the abused person will be in a place of safety, free from fear and intimidation with a team of professional people who will provide the necessary support,” he says.
The aim is to establish a centrally placed house in Welkom to accommodate the various categories of people in need.
“We require the house, appliances, furniture, bedding, linen and food, as well as security and financial assistance with running costs,” says Jacobs.
Attending the major fundraiser were professionals, including doctors, lawyers, the police, social workers and emergency service personnel. Guest speakers also included people who shared their experiences as victims of abuse in various forms.
