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South African school serves refugee children


Bishop Paul Verryn blesses refugees during evening worship at
the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa.
UMNS photos by Paul Jeffrey, Response.

By Melissa Hinnen*
July 29, 2009 | NEW YORK (UMNS)

Bishop Paul Verryn believes that “the first call of justice is that all people are treated with dignity.”

Central Methodist Mission, his church in Johannesburg, South Africa, is now home to 2,000 people who have been uprooted because of conflict and poverty in Zimbabwe.

“Faith must address the poor and we are bringing the needs of the poor directly into the church.” Verryn explained during a July visit to the United Methodist Committee on Relief.


Refugee children study at the
Albert Street School.
   

Helping Central Methodist Mission respond to the call to justice are church members worldwide.

The United Methodist relief agency provides funding to the Albert Street School, serving 500 children who are part of the mission. Verryn is thankful for the denomination’s support. “When we open up the (water) tap, it’s because of UMCOR’s generosity,” he said.

The bishop said he also is grateful to the many United Methodists who are helping Central Methodist Mission, including a congregation in Old Lyme, Conn., that has been in covenant with him for 22 years. The mission’s congregation also supports the school and many people donate books, groceries and school supplies.

“We experience the widow’s mite regularly,” Verryn said. “Last week a woman who looked quite poor herself came with a child on her back to make a donation of toys and clothing that her child didn’t need anymore.”

Beyond the classroom

While the school has many students with diverse needs, Verryn maintains a whole child approach. Each child is known and loved. Students are listened to and when there is a problem or challenge, the staff responds with compassion.

The school strives to build a sense of consistency and family, particularly for those children who are unaccompanied by an adult. Parents are met with regularly and offered strategies for family guidance.

Beyond receiving a basic education, students are encouraged to join the chess league, become computer literate and learn karate. By giving them a range of skills and abilities, Verryn explained, the children are empowered and build a sense of accomplishment.

Displaced Zimbabweans are hired and certified to teach the children. The school principal is a former student who used to sell papers.

Providing refuge through worship

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On Sundays, Central Methodist Mission becomes a place for worship and offers six services, including services in French and Portuguese. More than 1,200 Zimbabwean refugees pack the church at the evening service. When they arrive, they look sad and lonely. But through their worship, despondency turns to joy, according to Verryn. And when the invitation to the table is issued, “people are literally running to the communion rail.”

The church also offers a healing service on Wednesdays that draws 250 people who are looking for wholeness. Verryn said he notices children like the little boy whose father was killed in Zimbabwe and whose mother is too broken to always care for her son. However, they faithfully come to the healing service and he is hopeful that the experience will be a strong positive force in the boy’s life as he grows.

Each week, Verryn blesses the boy and his mother with the words, “With the grace of God, may you find healing and peace.”

Donations to Central Methodist Mission and its programs for thousands of Zimbabweans seeking safety there can be made through South Africa Relief and Development, UMCOR Advance #3020999.

*Melissa Hinnen is a staff writer for UMCOR

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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Resources

United Methodist Committee on Relief

Methodist Church of Southern Africa

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