God answered her prayer. Today, Lee-Ann is part of the Avodah family, where she learns, creates, and is loved for who she is. For Desreé, this has been life-changing. It allows her a few hours each day to attend Bible study, do her shopping, or clean her home—simple things that are often impossible when caring full-time for a special needs child.

Life has not been easy for them. After being evicted from their home in Paarl, they now live in a small temporary house in New Orleans Park without permanent water or toilets, waiting for their HOP home from the Drakenstein Municipality. Yet, through all these challenges, Desreé remains deeply grateful. She often shares how thankful she is that God provided Avodah—a safe, loving place for Lee-Ann and a source of hope and support for her as a mother.

“Avodah is truly an answer to my prayers,” Desreé says. “It means the world to know that Lee-Ann is cared for, growing, and happy. I can finally breathe again.”

The post Testimony- An answer to a mother’s prayer appeared first on Ma's vir Wellington.

In April 2025, the Newrest community was devastated by a fire. On that very Sunday, Delia van Wyk—known to all as Aunty D of Nanna D’s Projects—was the first to call Ma’s vir Wellington. That call marked the beginning of a journey where Delia served her community tirelessly for three months.

With extraordinary courage and compassion, Aunty D stepped in as the lead organizer and coordinator, overseeing the sorting and distribution of a warehouse full of donations. Through her leadership, help reached more than 1,950 individuals and 600 families affected by the fire.

All the while, Delia carried the heavy burden of caring for her husband, Aubrey, who was terminally ill with kidney failure. Despite his illness, Aubrey stood faithfully beside her in the work until the very last home was served. Together, even in their personal struggle, they gave selflessly to others.

We at Ma’s vir Wellington honor Delia for her servant heart—towards her community, her late husband, her children, and her family. Aubrey passed away three months ago, but his touch and vision remain alive in Delia’s hands. Their shared dream was to establish a full-time soup kitchen: a place where children could come for a warm meal, and where families could receive shoes, clothing, or a blanket through community support.

Today, we are proud to say that Nanna D’s Projects are officially sponsored and endorsed by Ma’s vir Wellington. We will continue to stand with Delia, so that she can continue to serve her community in honor of Aubrey’s legacy.

As her vision declares: “Nurture and protect our future.”

Call to Action

You can help bring Aubrey and Delia’s dream to life. Join us in setting up a fully registered soup kitchen that will serve as a beacon of hope for families in need.

 Contact Ma’s vir Wellington to partner with us, donate, or volunteer today. Together, we can nurture and protect our future.

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Seeff recently launched a special initiative to recognise remarkable women making a difference in the Wellington community. Four inspiring women were nominated: Retha Stigant (Lions Club), Elani Graham (Wellington SPCA), Este Laubser (Silwerkruin Bejaardesorg), and our very own Cornel de Beer from Ma’s vir Wellington.

We are delighted to share that Cornel de Beer has been named Remarkable Woman of the Year! Her unwavering dedication, compassion, and the love she pours into Ma’s vir Wellington are a true blessing to many.

A heartfelt thank you to Cornel for the incredible role she plays, and to Seeff for celebrating women who impact our community in such meaningful ways. We are deeply grateful!

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“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” – Isaiah 61:3

A woman’s legacy is not in what she owns, but in what she sows

At Ma’s vir Wellington, we believe legacy is not measured in possessions, but in the seeds, we sow into the lives of others. Few embody this truth more beautifully than Tannie Katriena, one of our eldest Tannie Mammas, who for more than 13 years has been faithfully planting seeds of prayer, love, and faith into this ministry.

She has long been one of our devoted Tannie Mammas, showing up week after week with a heart full of love for the children and the staff. But even more powerfully, she has become a spiritual mother, a quiet intercessor whose prayers have upheld this house in ways we may never fully comprehend.

As life brought personal tragedy and declining health, many might have stepped back. But not Tannie Katriena.

Though she can no longer attend our programs in person, her presence is still strongly felt. Every Monday morning, she calls to ask, “What can I pray for this week?” She lifts up the names of children, staff, volunteers, and even the vehicles that carry us—covering each detail in prayer so that God’s work may continue, safe and fruitful.

Her life is a living picture of Jesus’ parable of the good soil (Matthew 13)—a heart that receives God’s Word and bears much fruit. From her prayers have sprung unseen harvests: protection, peace, strength, and joy. Though many of her seeds were sown in silence, their fruit is now evident in the lives of those she has faithfully upheld.

“Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6
Tannie Katriena’s sowing has been generous—through trials, through tears, through seasons of weakness. And her harvest is eternal.

We often think impact comes from being on the frontlines. But women like Tannie Katriena remind us that some of the most powerful ministry happens behind the scenes, on bended knee, with whispered prayers and unwavering faith. This Women’s Month, we pause to honour her. Her legacy is not in what she owns, but in what she has sown—prayers, love, and faith. Seeds that will bear fruit for generations to come.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

Tannie Katriena never gave up. Her legacy is not in what she owned, but in what she sowed—and because of her, the harvest continues.

The post Seeds of Legacy-Testimony appeared first on Ma's vir Wellington.

Ruan is a kind and creative young man with a heart full of determination. He lives with cerebral palsy, which makes it difficult for him to grip objects—but that doesn’t stop him from doing what he loves.

He is part of our Avodah program for people with intellectual disabilities, a supportive space where individuals can learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully. Ruan has a passion for recycling. He collects old cans and transforms them into beautiful, useful items—like colourful stationery holders and cheerful flowerpots. Each piece reflects his creativity and love for the environment.

To help Ruan paint more independently, we came up with a simple yet effective solution. We placed a soft pool noodle between the jaws of a bench vice. This allows Ruan to place the recycled can securely on top without needing to hold it—enabling him to complete his work without assistance. It’s a small adaptation, but it makes a big difference—boosting his confidence and fostering his independence.

Ruan’s story is a powerful reminder that with a little creative support and a lot of heart, everyone has the ability to shine.

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Nya feels deeply. She sees more than she says. Her teddy bear is never far from her side—it brings her comfort and helps her feel safe in a world that can sometimes be overwhelming.

This is exactly why Avodah is so important. Here, someone like Nya doesn’t have to change to belong. She doesn’t need to talk more, do more, or be more. Her quiet, tender soul is valued. Her presence matters. She is seen. She is safe. She is loved—just as she is.

Avodah is not just a program. It’s a place where the overlooked are honoured, where the different are not just included but celebrated. Nya reminds us every day that every person deserves a place to belong.

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One of her most beautiful gifts is her voice. When Hope sings, it feels like heaven draws near. Many describe her voice as angelic and pure.

She has a spontaneous spirit when it comes to worship. Whether she’s at home, taking part in Avodah activities, or just sitting quietly, her heart often overflows in song. Without warning, she lifts her voice in praise, bringing peace and calm to those around her—especially to the other intellectually disabled adults in the group.

Her voice is a living testimony of God’s grace in her life. Listening to her sing is a powerful reminder of how God moves through His children.

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It truly warms our hearts to see our former learners eagerly attending school, especially knowing that many children in our community unnecessarily stay out of school. Through our outreach efforts, we continually encourage parents to ensure their children receive the education they deserve.

The post The Joy of Seeing Our Children Thrive appeared first on Ma's vir Wellington.

When you look at little Stacey*, you would never imagine her life at home. Her mother struggles with addiction and often leaves Stacey* and her sister at their grandmother’s house for days without food, or clean clothes.

Yet, amidst these difficulties, there is hope—her father picks her up from school, and he is trying to build a better life for his daughters.  Stacey* remains dedicated to her education, with excellent school attendance, proving her resilience and determination.

The post A Testimony of Hope – Stacey* appeared first on Ma's vir Wellington.

But things started to change—God’s love was at work.

With patient encouragement, loving guidance, and a warm, welcoming environment, Daniel began to find his place. Our dedicated Tannie-Mammas and staff took to heart the mission to “Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [our] responsibility – willingly, eagerly, and cheerfully” (1 Peter 5:2). Through reassurance, gentle support, and consistent routines, they created a safe space where Daniel could grow. Slowly but surely, he started to enjoy playing, learning, and interacting with the other children. His tears turned into smiles and laughter as the weeks went by. Now, at the end of the term, Daniel confidently walks into Supersterre, eager for the day ahead. He no longer waits anxiously for his dad to return but instead embraces the fun, friendships, and learning opportunities in front of him.

What made the difference? Love. God’s love was shown through patient hands, warm hearts, and gentle encouragement that reminded him he was never alone and that he was capable of doing things on his own. At Supersterre, we don’t just offer a programme—we create a place where children feel the warmth of His love and grow in joy, confidence, independence, and faith. Daniel’s journey is just one of many, showing that with God’s love, fear fades, courage grows, and little hearts can shine bright!

As Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” — Matthew 19:13-14, NIV.

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