A hard-working outreach

KNYSNA NEWS - A local shopping centre recently reached out to a workshop for the disabled in Hornlee to host a special braai for the beneficiaries and staff at the organisation.

Woodmill Lane Shopping Centre has been actively involved in assisting charities and schools this year, lending a hand in various forms such as stationery drives and sanitation drives for women.

On this occasion however, they wanted to give the folks who ply their trade at The Workshop in Hornlee a bit of a break by hosting a special braai for the beneficiaries and staff.

While the initial intention was to hold the braai in September as it is Heritage Month, schedule conflicts meant that it was moved to 15 October. The shopping centre sponsored the meat, spices, wood, firelighters, salads, cool drinks and cupcakes to 30 beneficiaries and staff at The Workshop.

"As hoped for, the weather was perfect and the beneficiaries and staff thoroughly enjoyed the festivities. Some of them even showed us a few dance moves!" said Woodmill Lane centre manager Madele van Niekerk.

The Workshop is a group of people with disabilities who work together to make all sorts of furniture and also to repair and restore wooden furniture.

"They work tirelessly to support their families, so the aim of the braai was to give them a little time off to relax and have fun. This is not something they get to do often," Van Niekerk said.

"Pastor Edwin Pedro is in charge of this workshop and he expressed their appreciation and gratitude for this opportunity on several occasions at the braai. It was really heart-warming to see all the beneficiaries and staff of The Workshop enjoy themselves so much and get the opportunity to recharge for the rest of the year."

Beneficiaries and staff from The Workshop in Hornlee.