3/2020
By Staff Reporter
In support of the fight against Gender-Based Violence, business woman, Sharifa Ferris, and drag racing team leader, Delvaline Gewers organised a motorcade to deliver dignity packs in Colville.
About 50 cars participated in this initiative. The drivers assembled at Harry Oppenheimer Gardens to start the short trip to Apostle Shane Griqua’s residence in Margaret Street, Colville, where the centre is currently operating.
The Shaina Griqua Advice and Development Centre is a non-profit organisation established in 2014. The project was initiated by Griqua to address various social ills within Colville. It also runs a soup kitchen three times a week based on availability of funds. Between 20 and 60 people visit the centre weekly, according to Griqua.
During the lockdown period, the centre was a hub of activities by assisting 2 500 people with Social Relief Fund applications, collecting and compiling food parcels which fed 55 families, appliied for 120 matriculants to tertiary institutions online and providing 20 young men with toiletries, amongst others.
Griqua furthermore goes to nearby clinics and addresses community members about issues of abuse and various other related subjects.
Discussions between the municipality and Griqua are underway for a piece of land at the corner of Margaret Street, to erect containers that will serve as the centre.
Ferris, intends to donate the first container that will serve as a counselling room. She said, “I am a victim of violence and I grew up in it; hence this initiative is close to my heart. ”
Community members were excited at the sight of smoke and heavy noise emanating from cars passing by. The loud blaring music and the sound of the roaring engines excited both young and old. They held placards displaying messages against gender based violence.
The centre has five full-time employees and 15 volunteers and it survives on donations and has recently secured funding from the National Development Agency. They were also commissioned by the agency to do a gender-based violence program from July 2020 to march 2021.
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