The selfless secretary

Maragon Private School secretary Pat Crichton of Weltevreden Park has been involved with St Laurence’s Children’s Haven in Discovery for the past 12 years. Most of her colleagues at Maragon in Ruimsig are unaware of the selfless work she does in her personal time.

“I really love children. The haven has fostered many children, and we currently have 25 with us, one of which is finishing school and has applied to university. She has been with us since Grade 4. When she first arrived she could not read or write, so this is a giant leap for her.”

“Aunty Pat”, as the children call Crichton, said she is part of a group of friends who, years ago, felt a calling to give back to the community. “We decided to help children who are abandoned and abused. Administration and fundraising are undertaken on a completely voluntary basis and all money raised goes directly to the children,” she explained.

Crichton gives her energy to the home at night and over weekends, and she visits the children every second week. The home is on the premises of the St Laurence Methodist Church in Discovery, Roodepoort.

“The children at the haven experience love and care in a secure and warm environment. They receive three cooked meals a day, attend local schools and are supervised by trained house parents who are approved by Child and Family Welfare,” she added.

To Crichton the thought of sending a child off to university brings such joy. “Under these conditions, very soon the pain and trauma they have suffered passes, and they adapt to becoming young, healthy and balanced children. And that is the true award for me.”