By Nangamso Mabindla
12 April 2007

THE sounds of machines mingle with laughter at the Living Waters Centre, where society's vulnerable have a safe place that they can call home.

A non-profit organisation, Living Waters operates various upliftment programmes for vulnerable persons, including four safe houses for abused women and children.

One of the more celebrated of these is the Thembisa Maclean Safe House, named after the wife of the former Buffalo City mayor, Sindisile Maclean. It was opened in 2003, and since then has become one the organisation's success stories.

The Living Waters Centre is the organisation's operational hub; it houses its offices, skills training and a coffee and gift shop. Living Waters' executive director, Melonie Gobel, speaks enthusiastically about the centre, which was officially opened in January 2005.

"[It] offers vulnerable people and youth at risk a place not only to learn, but also to benefit from a wide range of skills training and employment preparation, while offering members of the public a place to relax, to enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal and shop for unique gifts."

The shop is stocked with items either made in the organisation's various training programmes or by Eastern Cape crafters. The centre also has a sewing department.

"We teach our ladies not only arts and crafts, but practical business and life skills so that they are able to make gifts for our shop and for some of our clients, while earning an income," Gobel explains.

Looking to the future, she says the centre would like to open an Eastern Cape tourism hub, where crafts from across the province would be for sale in East London. A sublimation print, screen-print and photoblast workshop, which would enable Living Waters to expand its corporate gift market, is also on the cards.

A welcome addition to the ever-growing family at Living Waters, will be youth at risk. Gobel says this group will include any young people who have been victims of social ills. They will be able to get training in woodworking, screen printing, sewing, arts and crafts, and welding.

"We will also have a business outsource centre and computer classes. When it comes to computer classes, we partner with MSC College so that our people receive recognised certificates. We are really excited about these developments as they offer a holistic programme for those who really need it."

Living Waters aims to empower the vulnerable of Buffalo City. For more information, visit the Living Waters Centre at 6 Atlas Road, Arcadia, East London or phone 043 722 7096.