The Project:
The St. Luigi Scrosoppi “Sorgsentrum” or Care Centre is a multiphase project encompassing many
aspects of care and pastoral work in our local community. It is a refuge where disadvantaged
children and youth can come to play, learn, and receive proper nutrition and healthcare in a
safe and secure environment.
At the St. Luigi Scrosoppi “Sorgsentrum” we offer children a haven from the world in which they
live so that they can grow up believing that beauty and goodness can outstrip the harshness of
their daily lives. At the Centre the child comes first - a child who has discovered his
talents, skills, strengths and weakness and ways in which to grow with these. The Centre’s sole purpose and direction is the enhancement and empowerment of children
and youth. Every decision we make at the Centre is for the good of the children and the
community in which they live.
The Scrosoppi Children
Although the project is still in its infancy we have already seen a real difference in the
lives of many of the children who daily come to the Centre. Since July 2007, around 150-200
children (aged 13 months to 13) come to the Centre in the afternoons. We feed them, pray with
them, play, teach, act, draw, sing, knit, run, skip, laugh, and build puzzles and all those
wonderful activities children thrive on. By July 2008 we expect double that number and we
hope to grow that figure to at least 800 children by 2010.
The Scrosoppi Youth
We have an exciting youth programme at the Centre and an enthusiastic Youth Worker.
Some of our programmes include having a local comic magazine, a Drama Club and of course
we will play plenty of cricket and other sports.
Working at the Centre
Although the character of the Centre is distinctly Catholic as it is administrated by the
two religious orders it is open to the entire community. Local, skilled and qualified
workers (paid and voluntary) are also involved. To date we have a core volunteer group
of 15 members of various persuasions and denominations. Skills training for our volunteers
and staff members will also be an important focus at the Centre.
HIV /AIDS
Both the Oratorian Fathers and the Sister of Providence deal with HIV/AIDS on a daily basis.
The Sisters by working with the sick and the Priests by administering the Sacraments to them
and counselling the families. A large number of our community is affected and the situation
is desperate and worsening and many are orphaned and widowed by this disease.
This affects families economically too and we have to help in many ways, from nurturing,
education, access to medication and moral and spiritual guidance.
The Heart of the Centre
We had to create separate spaces for the various age groups and
circumstances of the children and these houses include:
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“ Huis Filip ”
Youth Centre
Ages 14-27
Huis Filip is the hub we presently use for afternoon aftercare for children of all ages;
offering a safe environment, nutritional meals and stimulating activities aimed at the
holistic development of its clients. Huis Filip contains a small classroom, a rest area,
a coffee and games room, ablution facilities, a play area, grass playing fields, a library
and computer room as well as a small kitchen. Huis Filip will also serve as the training hub
for life skills courses aimed especially at the youth.
Once Huis Luigi has been completed the babies, toddlers and youngster will be accommodated
there and Huis Filip will be the home of the Youth project and activities exclusively.
“ Huis Nasaret ”
Care Centre for Children and Youth
Huis Nasaret is definitely not an orphanage but a safety house where vulnerable children will
be accommodated and eventually re-homed to suitable foster families.
“ Huis Luigi ”
After School Care Facility - Children 0-13
Huis Luigi will be function as an aftercare facility for babies, toddlers and young children,
offering a safe environment, nutritional meals and stimulating activities aimed at the
holistic development of its clients.
“ Huis Betania ”
Treatment Centre for
Malnourished children.
Huis Betanië will function as a treatment centre for the care of malnourished children as
well as the education of the primary caregivers of these malnourished children.
The children will receive all their daily meals at the centre until they have reached their
ideal weight and the primary care givers will receive training in the proper care of the
children and their nutritional needs.
• Can you help us? Your contribution does make a difference!
• Construction needs
• Once-off assistance
- Equipment & educational material
- Furniture & fittings
• Continuous assistance
- Feeding scheme
- Become a volunteer
- Essential expenses
Information provided by St. Luigi Scrosoppi Care Centre
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