The L and J informal settlement community of about 3000 people has proved to be fertile ground for the TMI initiative. Located about 5 kilometers from the Southern Africa Indian Ocean Division office, it accommodates people of various ethnic backgrounds with quite a number that are also foreign nationals.
This community has no organized sewage system, electricity system, no running water, no waste disposal system. The city council provides water on an irregular basis twice a week into 5000 liter tanks that have been placed in strategic places in this community. The residents claim that this water supply does not meet the needs of this community. Some portable toilets have been placed in this community and emptying them also occurs on an irregular basis according to the residents.
Following two fact finding visits, staff from the SID office started visiting this community on a more regular basis. Needs for food and warm cloths were some of the basic needs identified. The staff would take soup and bread and also provide cloths and warm blankets to cater for the severe winters which have become the trend in these recent years.
September 17, 2016 saw the execution of a major health EXPO organized with the help of the two churches where most of the staff members go to worship. This combined team dipped into their own pockets to meet the financial needs for this EXPO and many gave of their services in kind. Close to 200 people received free health care that day. Hundreds received health talks, music and sermonettes and children received similar in a tent that was provided just for them. The community also received a full meal cooked by SID staff and ADRA graciously came in to provide hundreds of water containers for collecting and storing water.
Visits have continued to this community. A community leaders home has been identified and every Sabbath afternoon, 15-20 adults and more than 15 children are now meeting to take part in the interactive health talks as well as to study the Bible using the VOP lessons and children’s lessons. We are excited about these precious souls that are eager to learn and to know more about Jesus. We solicit your prayers so that this TMI initiative will soon bear fruits for heaven.
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