Community Gym
To provide a safe environment for community youth to work out, learn about healthy lifestyles, build friendships and hear about God.
How it started:
The gym was established in 2004 in response to the needs of youth in the local townships of Merlewood, Mkholombe and Boboyi. These area’s reflected the difficult circumstances placed on young people by the effects of HIV/AIDS, poverty, crime, violence, and boredom.
The gym offers young guys an opportunity to participate in an exciting, relevant and alternative activity by working out on good equipment in a supervised environment for a nominal fee.
On Friday afternoons, a youth group takes place at the gym, where the young guys can encounter God in a fun and relaxed environment.
One of the success stories at the gym has been Brian Cele from Mkolombi, who, having joined the gym in 2004, has recently become the South African Novice Champion in bodybuilding (2009)
Brian’s lifestyle and relationship with God has set an example for the younger guys to follow, while inspiring those at the gym to achieve real, and attainable goals! Brian now works at the Gym, and uses this opportunity to share his testimony with youth who may be seeking for a better way!
The gym recently had to move premises due to unforeseen circumstances and is currently housed temporarily in a facility, kindly provided by a local business, Desmond’s Equipment. A new gym is being built which is expected to be complete soon.
The gym requires funding for its ongoing activities and outreach programmes which assists in keeping the youth off the streets and in a healthy alternative environment.
Meet the team
The Gym is headed by Jason, Brian and Wiseman
