The Elsburg Support Group (ESG) recently awarded community members who completed the first aid, firefighting and evacuation training, with certificates.<\/p>\n
The training was conducted by Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS).<\/p>
\u201cWe asked DEMS to train these people due to the fact that a number of houses burnt in the Elsburg area,recently,\u201d said the chairperson and founder of the ESG, Florence Matona.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to train more people in the community because we believe that the more people we train the more empowered the community will be.<\/p>
\u201cThis will be advantageous for when fires break out, as those trained will be able to help and assist where possible while waiting for more help.\u201d<\/p>\n
ESG was established by Matona in 2012.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmong other things, the ESG aims to serve the mentally challenged and their families,\u201d said Matona.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to give them skills as they are not easily employed and even when they are employed they often lose their jobs due to their conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why it is important for us to help them to enable them to make a living from their skills.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matona is a trained psychiatric nurse at the Elsburg Clinic.<\/p>\n
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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Silkworth extends its reach<\/a><\/p>\n Locals rewarded for their hard work<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThrough the years, I realised that most of the mentally challenged are misunderstood by the community and family members,\u201d said Matona.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to ensure they are understood by their families and community members.<\/p>\n \u201cNursing and uplifting the community are my passions, I love them.\u201d<\/p>\n Woodwork, flower arranging, sewing, crocheting and dress-making are among the skills taught at the ESG.<\/p>\n \u201cOur core value at the ESG is to skill people so they can feed their families and be proud of it,\u201d said Matona.<\/p>\n Ward 39 councillor Clr Alta de Beer was also at the event.<\/p>\n \u201cI am in full support of the work done by the ESG,\u201d said de Beer.<\/p>\n \u201cThey also look after the elderly people and that is very important.<\/p>\n \u201cA venue is their main challenge at the moment as they need somewhere to host their activities.\u201d<\/p>\n Matona agreed with de Beer regarding a venue.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are currently utilising the Methodist Church in Elsburg for our meetings but we need a venue of our own,\u201d said Matona.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are 39 members of the ESG and more people are welcome to join us; we meet every Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have ongoing relationships with SAVF Kowa Pienaar Old Age Home, Sunshine Association, Alice Orphanage Home and de Beer.\u201d<\/p>\n Some of the work done by the ESG members was on display at the certification event.<\/p>\n For more information or to join the ESG contact Elizabeth Jacobs on 063 165 6070 or Matona on 073 207 0536.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>, Leigh Hodgson (journalist)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or Puleng Sekabate (journalist) pulengs@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n