What can we say about 2020? The truth is this year has forever changed us and not all for the bad. We as South Africans have proven that even in our darkest days we find a way to help one another and as a result have come through this baptism of fire a stronger and more resilient people. At least, that is the case with The Love Trust according to Martin Morrison, Rector of Christ Church Midrand, Bishop of REACH SA (Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa) and CEO of The Love Trust.
According to Morrison, The Love Trust, the same as many other NGOs, is familiar with the financial struggles facing South Africa, a country relegated to junk status after its poor economic performance for the past three years. Then Covid hit and The Love Trust, was thrown in the deep end with no guidebooks or strategies for a situation like this; they had to find their way. Morrison says that they had to play it by ear, day by day and naturally mistakes and errors were made, but that’s to be expected with so much uncertainty. “But,” says Morrison, “we’ve survived the storm and more than survived. We are much stronger for it. Our team is stronger. Almost everybody – men and women, stepped up. You know the people you can count on and that’s what’s come out of this and it’s been wonderful.”
This dedication, determination, and plain old stubbornness, despite the frustrations and challenges involved, was met with the generous outpouring of support from their main donors and partners. “All of the main donors were contacted,” says Morrison, “to find out whether they would be able to continue giving, or whether it would be less. And every donor said, ‘We are in this with you guys, we may not be able to give the same amount, but we are committed.’ What that told me was that you have donors who trust you, that are in relationship with you. So that has been hugely encouraging!”
This steadfastness and passion behind the actions and mind-sets of the team at The Love Trust can be traced back to the core or centre of The Love Trust and Nokuphila School: Christ. “The person of Christ,” Morrison explains, “not just Christian values or Christian worldview or Christian ethics, or a Christian framework. And that’s why we go through blood sweat and tears, ultimately, because we want to share Christ, the love of Christ, with those children, with their parents, with their families, with the community.”
When asked about his hopes for the coming year and future beyond Morrison said, “I hope we do everything better. We want to improve in terms of our quality of governance, our systems, our education, our development of people (so it’s not only the children). And then, obviously, we want to grow in quantity, so we want to add another 40 children next year, extra grades 000 and 00 classes. We’ve got 6 teacher training centres, we hope to grow that by at least two. I’m hoping more like three or four.”
In closing we asked what his Christmas wishes are for everyone this festive season. Morrison wanted to thank all who have been “committed in one way or the other to The Love Trust: our donors, our service providers, suppliers, our staff, our children, their families.” He understands the emotional, spiritual and psychological toll this year has had on everyone and hopes everyone truly gets a chance to rest and recharge themselves, not just physically but spiritually too, in order to meet the challenges of the coming year head-on and “use it as an opportunity to serve God and serve our neighbour.”
