“Threads” is the theme of the national annual gathering of the South African Compassionate Friends, the international support group for parents who have lost a child.
This year’s event will be held from Thursday to Saturday August 9 to 11 just outside Stellenbosch. The organisers invite parents who have lost a child to join them to “pick up the threads” again.
The leader of the Somerset West branch, Alta Volschenk, said the theme for this year’s meeting was chosen to help parents find new courage for the indescribable journey they face, and that with “gathering all the threads together, we can create new harmony”.
The Compassionate Friends is an international interdenominational support group whose members provide peer support to parents who have lost a child. In South Africa there are about 13 groups across the country that meet regularly, and monthly newsletters are sent even as far as Zimbabwe. There are no membership fees, and also no fees asked for the support services provided. This year’s Gathering will be held at the Mountain Breeze Chalets and Caravan Park on the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. The Western Cape Compassionate Friends branches of Cape Town, Somerset West, Kuils River, Hanover Park and Paarl are organising the event. If you have never attended a Compassionate Friends meeting, you are also very welcome to attend.
For information on the various conference packages and other details, contact Alta Volschenk at aswannie@mweb.co.za or Ina Thiart at inat@live.co.za
