Supporting the community
I was first introduced to Goliath Estate, a small rural community located in the heart of in Kraaifontein, by Erich Maritz in 2015. Reverting, as always, back to my passion of community development, I was drawn to the people and started building relationships with key role players in the community. The need for a more formal structure that could be used as a vehicle to plan and coordinate the priority needs soon became evident. With the help of a number of people from Gereformeerde Kerk Bellville-Oos, namely Maryke van Heerden, Peet van Biljon and Elsabe Fourie the idea to create a non-profit organization blossomed and in 2017 Charitas—Latin for ‘love(of God)’ or ‘charity’—was registered with the Department of Social Development and with the Companies and intellectual Property and Commission(CIPC).
Charitas has since evolved into a powerful platform for facilitating community-based programs, which support and empower groups and individuals in meeting their own needs. Having partnered with a variety of experts, which include dieticians, counselors, local schools, businessmen and local government, the organization is going form strength to strength in establishing and implementing beneficial social networks aimed at improving the community’s access to much-needed resources and opportunities to thrive.
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Ria Breed
Founder and Director