Soccer anyone? A game in play on the Brescia House field. SSVP's Newton Jackson (referee) is tirelessly keeping things well under control!

How to carry everything and get down the stairs?!

Presents about to be distributed. Thank you Brescia House learners for helping us buy gifts for the Diepsloot families.

Tanya Duley and her sister had a steady queue of children waiting to have faces painted.

Delisile and Gladys manage their stand at the Bryanston Catholic Church Craft Market

These pics were taken by Denise Andrews when the ladies made bags for the American School Scouts.

They have electricity in their homes but it’s also nice to sit outside under the tree and it is good advertising for them to be seen by those passing in the roadJ A lot of their monthly income is doing repairs, shortening pants etc in the township. So any old machines you know of we welcome. We are currently looking for the treadle part of an old machine – the machine we have is good but the treadle has passed on.

SSVP Bryanston - Year End function at Nino's in Douglasdale

A special thanks to Daniel (left)for hosting our party at his restaurant. Guests and SSVP members (above) having a chat at the Christmas party

Terrence & Kim McCarthy hosted the quiz event which was rather competitive amongst the various teams! Teams (below) deliberate amongst themselves as to the answers to some difficult quiz questions.

A well manicured and cared for garden in Diepsloot X12.

If you are looking for a gardener who is dedicated to detail please contact SSVP - Bryanston or place a comment by clicking on comments below. The owner of this beautiful garden is now available to do your garden.

The September dental hygiene drive proved successful, and parishioners donated toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels and face cloths. SSVP distributed these items to grateful families in Diepsloot. Families in X12 broke into spontaneous clapping when they were told of this gift from the Bryanston parish.

LIONS Club of Midrand provided eye screening for some of the Diepsloot women in September. Thanks to Lies for organising the visit.

Sikholiswe is delighted with her new glasses.

Bryan Rix, a member of St Vincent de Paul was instrumental in providing a tap and hosepipe to enable more effective vegetable garden watering at the SSVP container in X12. Sam (on left) is one of the patrollers from the Community Police Forum; the Society works with the CPF in Diepsloot X12.

SSVP members preparing Toothbrushes & Toothpaste packages before visits to families. These items were donated by parishioners and corporates during the September 2010 hygiene drive. Thank you to everyone who donated these goods which are so desperately needed.

A special thank you to:

Lorraine & Chris Askew for the donation of this TV, and

to the Arp family for the donation of these Children's educational video's and DVD's.

These generous donations are to be used in a new school which is opening in Diepsloot soon.

Thanks so much David Harrowsmith for donating your bicycle to SSVP. Bongani Hlatswayo in Cosmo City will make good use of it.

Winter time is Beanie time - Thank you Nicole Mortimer for knitting these fabulous beanies!!!

Meeting between Phiri, Meadowlands and Bryanston Conferences

Members of our conferences having a meeting to discuss various issues and to swap ideas, followed by lunch.

Thanks to Bryanston parishioners, the Khuzwayo family in Cosmo City have a set of new winter clothing. The shoes especially, were received with delight. The younger children had no shoes to wear, and the older two were wearing their mother’s shoes.

Diepsloot Extension 12 Visit

Joseph is a retired resident of Diepsloot. He proudly shows off his garden which he tends to with much care. We visit him twice a month and every time we go his garden looks great!

Slenders Fruit & Veg is a local supplier of fresh produce in Diepsloot. They are situated right across the street from Bona Lesedi which is not only convenient, but also supports local business and the community. Bona Lesedi acts as the main distribution depot to our Diepsloot families.

In memory of Father Louis Blondel

Our work in Cosmo City

The families who receive food parcels from us were moved to Cosmo City from Zevenfontein. At present, the municipalities are arguing over which of them has jurisdiction over Cosmo City, and, as a consequence, there are no social workers or clinics for the entire area.

One of the families we assist has sewerage running past their house because one municipality unblocked the pipes, but refused to fix them as they argued that Cosmo is not their problem. Why is it is the poorest people who seem to be neglected the most....?

Nature of the Society

The Society is a welfare organisation of the Catholic Church that is affiliated to, and operates in co-operation with, the world-wide Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the permanent headquarters of which is in Paris, France.

St Vincent de Paul - Bryanston

The Bryanston Conference provides aid to those in need, regardless of race or creed. We are currently involved in the Diepsloot, Soweto, Cosmo City and Oliveinhoutbosch informal settlements.

Who we are

Our members (known as Vincentians) consist of volunteers who personally visit the needy, taking nutritional foodstuffs and clothing. Many of those who require our help are elderly, frail or disabled. We also assist people who need to attend a clinic and who require help with various applications at Home Affairs.

Our benefactors

Our main source of income is from the generous parishioners of Bryanston Parish who donate money, food, clothing and other items.

The need in our society, however, seems ever-increasing, and we are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to generate income.

Assisting those in need to help themselves

We firmly believe that it is important to empower the disadvantaged to eventually be able to provide for themselves. We have various projects underway, including the establishment of vegetable gardens, the running of tuck shops, shoe repairs and sewing. This is an incredibly rewarding part of being a Vincentian – watching someone become financially independent again.

Interested in joining or contributing?

If you would like to know more about what we do, or would like to assist in anyway, please contact Roy Hawkins on 082 440 6615.