Hendrina Oliver "Ma Oliver"
Background
My name is Hendrina Oliver. I am the eldest of 12 children. I hail from the Northern Cape. Most of my education was through correspondence. I have 3 children, 1 daughter and 2 sons and 4 grandchildren. Through the Grace of God I am 77 years of age. I live in Kensington, and I am the Chairperson of Community Outreach Organisation Kenfac, rendering services to substance users and their families.
How and Why did you get involved in the NPO sector?
My husband was an excessive drinker, and my involvement in the non profit sector was a calling.
Op 11/10/1997 het ek Hendrina Oliver ‘n visie van God gekry om ‘n gemeenskaps organisie vir dwelm afhanklikes te stig. Ek het die visie geignoreer, maar God het weer met my op 5 Maart 1998 gepraat. Ek het toe in gehoorsaamheid gedoen wat God van my verwag het. Ek was ook herinner dat ek gevra het dat my man bevry moet word van alkohol. Ek het die belofte gemaak, ek sal my werk en ander help wat vasgevang is.
Ek het mense wat in die omgewing woon, ingelig oor alkohol, vergaderings gehou met die wat belang gestel het. Superintendent Clayton van die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie te Kensington is genader vir ‘n lokaal om die byeenkomste daar te hou. Christelike Uitreiking Organisasie is to gebore. Op 6 April 2000 het die eerste kiesing plaas gevind. ‘n Jaar later het Priscilla Petersen aangesluit as lid en ook Maatskaplike Dienste vir die organisasie vrywillig aangebied. Ons het besef ons het ‘n anker nodig en aansoek gedoen vir afilliasie by Hoof Bestuur CAB (Christelike Afhanklikheids Bediening, Streek 21. Ons het later finansies benodig en besluit om straat tafels te hou. Dr. Parsons by Kensington Daghospitaal het my gekontak om verkope daar te hou. Die wins is gebruik om die huur te betaal sowel as vir projekte. Die parade lokaal by Kensington Polisie het bedrywig geword en ons aansoek by Shawco moes doen. Daar het ons vir twee maande vergaderings gehou tot Augustus 2000. Clive Justus, die “Ward Councillor” vir Kensington en Factreton, het ons bygestaan en aansoek gedoen vir ‘n lokaal. Ons weeklikse ondersteunings groep het toe van die Kensington Burger Sentrum gefunksioneer.
Gedurende 2006 het die Maatskaplike Werkers van die Departement Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling, die kantoor besoek en aangebied om die organisasie finansieel te ondersteun. Hulle het die organisasie as stabiel beskou om dienste aan die gemeenskap te lewer.
Gedurende 2007 het die organisasie, ‘n kantoor geopen en ‘n Administratiewe beampte, is aangestel.
Tot hierdie uur sit ek nog steeds by die ‘trolley’ by Kensington Daghospital en verwys mense wat problem het met alkohol en dwelms na die kantoor in the Kensington Burgersentrum.
What do you regard as your major contribution to your organisation?
I am committed to what I’m doing and I motivate others to do the same. I stand by the vision of this organisation for better or for worse. I consider this to be my calling and therefore I accept all challenges that come my way and deal with it to the best of my ability.
What drives / motivates / inspires you?
I am inspired by God to change the mind set and the lives of others for better. My passion to heal others drives me and inspires me to continue over and over again. I feel proud when I see someone is being healed and inspires others around him/her.
What do you like about your work?
When I see someone is making progress, getting back on their feet. Healing of broken families, to help the helpless and motivate and encourage people.
If you can what will you change about your work?
Succeed in everything, to reach out to Touch, Teach the World. The world to those that fail in planning
Describe a challenge you faced and how you overcame it
Starting the organisation was one of the biggest challenges I faced. I was told by people that it would not survive six months. Sometimes we would be two persons at the weekly support group and we would use the 2 hours for prayer. Now, 10 years later we are the only local service provider doing early intervention services in Kensington, Factreton and Maitland area. Realising that this task was a calling from God, always carry me through the most difficult times of this organisation.
Do you get support from your family / friends? If so, how?
Yes, family and friends are always there to lend an encouraging hand whenever I ask.
What are your views about the sector at the moment?
There is a dire need in respect of uplifting and educating the communities on the dangers of alcohol and drugs. Drugs and other evils will always be there, it is ignorance that will kill us as communities.