Angel Wings Care Centre based in Putfontein on the outskirts of Benoni on the East Rand, was founded by Willem & Berdina Boshoff in November 1999.
After being retrenched and facing the daily struggle to find work and losing everything they had, they have first-hand experience of the challenges to survive and getting back on one’s feet. This was what inspired them to open a shelter for those who were lost, desperate and having to start over.
With the generosity of property owners, they were charged a minimal rent when they started up in a small nursery school in Boksburg North with approximately 45 residents. After the property was sold, they moved into an old hotel where they stayed for 4 years, again the property owner allowed them to stay for a minimal rent. During this time Willem and Berdina saved as much as they could and eventually had enough money to put a deposit down on the property where Angel Wings is currently situated and now accommodates 80 residents.
It is the mission of Angel Wings Care Centre to provide for the under-privileged, desperately poor, and needy by supplying housing, food, clothing, assisting with obtaining employment and providing guidance and basic life skills training. The 80 residents housed at the Centre vary in age and include HIV positive and disabled persons. Currently 14 of the 80 are children aged between 1 – 14 years.
Angel Wings regards each resident as productive members of the community, a human being that has stumbled on their life’s journey. They aim to assist the residents to uplift and restore themselves, in order for them to integrate back into their respective communities as fully functioning individuals who are able to contribute.
The non-profit is faced with the daily challenge of keeping up with the expenses of running the shelter as it receives no funding from government due to its demographic. The Centre is in dire need of funds and materials to do alterations and additions to buildings on the plot. Presently ablution facilities are being constructed for the disabled as well as a general dining hall for residents.
RADA was introduced to Angel Wings in April 2021 and after visiting the premises and meeting the staff, RADA decided that it was a place we could assist and support going forward. With the help of sponsors, we are now providing them with food every month and will continue to assess and assist with their ongoing needs.
