A generously supported golf day by SPAR Eastern Cape has given the Bet Sheekoom House of Restoration a boost in uplifting the lives of women and children in crisis.
Gqeberha, South Africa (27 October 2025) – Great things happen, and lives can be significantly changed for the better with the right support.
Thanks to the efforts of SPAR Eastern Cape, a vociferous campaigner against gender-based violence (GBV), the Bet Sheekoom House of Restoration for women and children in crisis is now better equipped to uplift more souls in need.
This follows a significant achievement for the Gqeberha non-profit, which received a donation of R50,000 after a generously supported annual charity golf day organised by SPAR at the wind-swept Port Elizabeth Golf Club recently.
Bet Sheekoom, a victim support centre registered with the Department of Social Development, has been overseen by Gary Koekemoer and his wife since 2007.
Over the years, the 16-bed safe haven in Southdene has assisted hundreds of women to deal with the trauma of GBV before re-entering society. Koekemoer shared that the organisation’s restorative programmes were the first step in helping victims make a U-turn, finding employment and moving into their own homes.
Some of the home’s most recent success stories include two ladies who have found employment with a florist specialising in the wedding industry.
Bet Sheekoom staff also experienced sweet victories in the form of the children who have been reunited with their moms, thanks to an in-house social worker who worked closely with those assigned to these youngsters to smooth the path towards their respective reunions.
A woman who had tragically lost her eye at the hands of her abusive former partner also had justice when he was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in jail. She received a prosthetic eye thanks to a Good Samaritan following her case.
“This has made a huge difference to her self-worth and confidence,” Koekemoer said.
Bet Sheekoom, previously named one of the grocery chain’s local heroes, has also benefited from several of its Women’s Day drives over the years.
The funds and support received mean the world to the haven.
“Being a non-profit, getting funding is a challenge, so an injection like this allows us to be more effective in everything we do,” said Koekemoer, adding that such events also help raise awareness.
The recent donation will find its way into the general kitty to “plug the gaps” within its current operations, of which medical bills and clothing are high priorities.
“We supply everything for those who come to us, as almost 100% of them arrive with nothing.” The charity even covers the patients’ sessions with the psychologist. This money is essential for us to continue doing the work we do.”
Here’s to generosity and golf days that awaken hope, rebuild more lives, and restore families by empowering women.
Sources: Supplied
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