A message from Our Chariman, Rev Ron Roberston
Message from the Chairman
Year 101!
One hundred years ago, the year Epworth was birthed, the world was caught up in a global pandemic, called ‘The Spanish Flu’ of 1918. Some 50 million people died then, and we are now approaching a similar catastrophe today with the ‘COVID 19 Pandemic’.
Year 101 is beginning to sound like a crash course on how to manage crises.
During 2018 / 2019 we focused on our Centenary year and we’re very grateful for the huge outpouring of love and support for Epworth as a long-established Mission project of the Church.
We would like to acknowledge the generosity and support of the many Methodist congregations and Organizations who have kept us uppermost in their expressions of generosity and support of the work at Epworth. We would also want to acknowledge a key sponsor, Nedbank, who have agreed to make us their key project with an emphasis on refurbishing the houses, inside and out!
Also, the fact that the Department of Social Development have agreed to increase substantially their subsidy to the Home (which also meant that we were thus enabled to divert some funding to at last give a long-overdue salary increase to our faithful – and long-suffering – staff)
Thank you one and all for your generous support of the work at Epworth.
During this period, we were also afforded the space, time, and resources to run a series of workshops to evaluate our journey and also to do some strategic planning into the future. Thank you, Nedbank!
Chief among these issues was the financial viability going forward as many of our regular donors have been changing their focus areas and the criteria for funding and that many of the grants are getting smaller by the year. Thus, our focus has had to turn to the question of our shape, primary focus and in-house resources into this new season.
Gratefully we found that we were in the right place and are playing a very a significant role in the community. The reflections highlighted significant ‘in house’ resources and experience of the staff in caring for the wide range of needs and issues of the children placed in our care; the Therapy and Assessment Centre (and the provision of an internship site for Psychology Masters students – now numbering some 80 students over the past 18 years), the results shown in the academic, social and general progress of the children during their time at Epworth show that we have much still offer the community in which we are placed.
Epworth is a place of healing and we are humbled by the achievement who have moved on into adult life beyond the Home and now play significant roles in their circles of influence.
It would be appropriate at this point to express on behalf of the Board our deep appreciation to our Director Ms Penny Lundie, the Social Workers, Child Care Staff, Support Staff, Interns and Volunteers. You are, as we have come to refer to you, the “A” Team! Enkosi!
Lock-down has once again shown that while each crisis presents its unique challenges, Epworth has despite them, proven to be a very special place.
Yours in His service
Rev Ron Robertson
(Chair of the Board)