Young UK Woman Pleads for Support for Lifesaving, Serenity Care Centre in Knysna

It’s not only South Africans who are reaching out generously to help those in Knysna, who have lost so much in the fires. Here’s a young British woman who has set up a fundraising page for a special place in Knysna to which, she says, she owes her life…

El Facer’s message to SAPeople touched us: “please, please help… this is so important, and I need as much help as possible to make it happen. Thank you.”

She has set up a fundraising page. This is her story:

“My name is Eloise Facer, I am 21 years old from Cambridgeshire in England, and I am a student at Royal Holloway University of London. I am also a recovering alcoholic/addict, I have now been clean and sober for over 2 years.

“On the evening of the 6th of June, I found out that the place most dear to my heart in the entire world was in danger of being completely destroyed.

“Serenity Care Centre is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Knysna, South Africa. It is a non-profit organisation which has saved and changed countless lives, as well as my own and those of my family and friends.

“Knynsa, among other places along the Garden Route, has been struck by the most deadly fires and the beautiful views provided by its nature have been ruined.

“As well as what has been shared with me through social media, I have been searching the internet for updates on the situation. As I write this on the morning of the 9th of June, there is still no confirmation that the fires have ended.

“Lives are still being destroyed. Entire communities sit in devastation and as I understand it there has been incredible support from every angle.

“This page is to raise money for Serenity Care Centre because in its nature, it is a place that will give away whatever it has.

“It may not have as much support as other places; although it is small and perhaps minor to some, Serenity fought for my life when I couldn’t, and it will continue to do that for people until it can no longer stand.

“Please, please, donate as much as you can to help Serenity stay standing. £10,000 is needed for repairing the damage the fires have caused.

“Serenity locked its doors for the first time since opening in 1997. Please help those doors to reopen and stay open!

“Say a prayer, think a thought, and if you can, donate. Thank you so much for your help.”

Through the tragedy of the fire that has destroyed so much in Knysna… has come new hope and an incredible awareness of how much goodness there is in the world. On Friday evening Serenity told SAPeople that El is a good friend of the Care Centre, and that they are “extremely grateful for any help we receive”.

Please visit El Facer’s Help Serenity Recover page here:
www.gofundme.com/help-serenity-recover