Kimberley - The 24-year-old single mother from Galeshewe who left her children starving and shivering in the cold, will begin counselling next week.
Her four children, who are between the ages of two and six years old, were taken to a place of safety earlier this week, after they were found unsupervised, hungry and dressed in torn, summer clothes.
Pastor Grace Mbungi from the Latter Glory House Church, on Thursday said that the mother needed to speak to someone whom she could trust and confide in.
“I will begin counselling twice a week at her home and believe that with prayer and support things will improve.
“She told us that she is eagerly waiting for her children to return home and has promised to take better care of them,” said Mbungi.
She stated that, if necessary, she would enlist the assistance of a psychologist.
“I want to visit the children at the place of safety on Friday (today). We spoke to them on the phone and they indicated that they miss their mother but are doing well. We want to begin painting the house and providing the young family with furniture.”
Mbungi added that they would appoint a responsible family member to manage the mother’s finances.
ANC ward councillor Moses Nhlapo said that they were waiting for an assessment from the social workers.
“The children are said to be doing well and are still at the place of safety.”
He indicated that he had been inundated with calls from members of the public who wished to assist the struggling family. “They said that the plight of the young children had moved them emotionally.
“We want to clean the house and make sure that the children feel at home when they return and that they have clean blankets and beds. We want to request social workers to assist in allowing the six-year-old girl to go back to school.”
Spokesman for the Department of Social Development, Gamiem Abrahams, said the matter was still under investigation.
“We cannot provide any information because we need to protect the rights of the minor children. If the community wishes to donate any items, they can hand it over to the district director, NG Meyer.”
The Latter Glory House Church in Julia Tshabalala Street, Galeshewe is also accepting donations of any kind on behalf of the children, which can be dropped off at the church.
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