Shopping complex planned at Care Village

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01-09-2025
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The Citizen Online
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Revolutionary plans to make the Middelburg Care Village financially independent, such as the construction of a shopping complex on the children’s home terrain, were announced during a gala evening.

Andre Brandmuller, ‘Father of the Children’s Home’, made the announcement during the institution’s 21st birthday celebration.

He outlined dynamic plans, such as the construction of the shopping complex, from which rental income can be generated.

There are also:

Business opportunities that the children’s home can get involved in locally.

An agricultural and training partnership with Middelburg High School.

Big plans to improve the children’s circumstances, such as the construction of new residential units to replace the outdated structures, which were built and used about 40 years ago as the Albert Herbst children’s home operated by the Reformed Church.

Construction work on the first unit has already begun.

Negotiations have also begun to acquire land where a soccer field can be established.

Brandmuller told how they started with one child in 2004 and now care for 108 children.

He began his presentation by telling the story of the boy who, among thousands of others, saved one starfish by throwing it back into the ocean.

“Let’s make sure our children have a future,” said Brandmuller.

“Every starfish deserves a change. You can make a difference to that one.”

At the beginning, it was a big challenge to give the children back their human dignity, “We had to change their insight from poverty to self-belief. Establish their understanding of family values. Survival mode to achieving dreams. Lack of education to education.”

He called the Middelburg Care Village a place of miracles and told how major mining groups, among others, contributed R6m so that the children’s home could be established.

Anja Chrissopoulos and Mariana van den Bergh at the gala evening to celebrate the Middelburg Care Village’s 21st birthday .Photo: Tobie van den Bergh.

Tich Smith, who had a vision in 1997 to start a haven for children near Durban, gave an inspiring message.

The LIV village motto is, “Glorifying God by serving the vulnerable children of our nation.”

The stylish event with music and delicious food was hosted in the Rondomtalie at Middelburg High School.

Three long-time stalwarts at the Care Village, John Brislin, Paul Mthimunye and Ashrif Latib, received special certificates.

Lee Willwerth, Catherine Juon and Kim Galbraith, three American visitors who support the children’s home, attended the event as special guests.