Category Archives: Community projects

News of aid for the needy in the Waterberg

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The donation of a hand-knitted jersey
The donation of a hand-knitted jersey

The work of The Waterberg Trust is being added by a Knitting Club in Vaalwater who have been making blankets and clothing for the needy. Please let us know if you would like to donate money for us to purchase wool, at a reduced price, in the comments below.

ACTS OF MERCY REPORT DECEMBER 2021

Dr Peter Farrant writes to say: “Grace has been busy in the community as you will see. We were able to distribute some seven bed bases and mattresses to deserving people…a lodge in Welgevonden was up grading, and a member of our community assisted with mattresses. Food inflation is a significant problem. The support is therefore needed. Many thanks for the support you give…it is greatly appreciated.”

A gift of useful clothing

Upon identifying those in need Sister Grace bought food parcels and essential supplies during the festive season. She writes to say: “I did my normal assessments in a different way through telephonically and referrals from the community due the rising numbers of Covid 19 cases… This time I did not invite more people to the supermarket but bought food and sent volunteers to deliver it to avoid overcrowding.” She supported a grieving family, who sadly lost a teenager, with a food parcel as the mother is unemployed and had no source of income.

We had 78 beneficiaries this month.

Food parcels for the needy in rural South Africa
Food parcels for the needy in rural South Africa

CHALLENGES:

  • Neglected family members being left without any support, food or shelter. Some beneficiaries abuse social grants intended for buying food. Instead they use the money to buy alcohol or for gambling, which means they have no food for their family
  • Increase in alcohol and substance abuse leading to Gender Based Violence and Community theft
  • Unattended children roaming the streets. One child aged two years was found on the street alone. He was handed over to the local police station for identification as he couldn’t talk.
  • Some elderly parents live alone without primary caregivers and some of are on medication which needs supervision.
  • Poor adherence in some mentally ill patients. They do not understand the proper dosage for their treatment

A kind donation of mattresses

FUTURE PLANS:

  • To ensure that the community, various church leaders and other stakeholders are involved in the Acts of Mercy Activities. i.e. to assist those who are homeless, reunite homeless people with their families and provide appropriate shelter.
  • The knitting club will continue to knit blankets and warm beanies before winter.
  • Sister Grace will engage with families who are neglecting their chronically ill patients and encourage them to support, provide basic needs and ensure they take their medication regularly, as prescribed.
  • She will continue to educate families about the importance of being responsible, help them to understand the purpose of social grants, and to refer those with ID documents to Social Development to be registered in the system.
  • She would like to express appreciation all those who donated clothes, sanitary pads, beds and finances to the Acts of Mercy.

We would like to thank local people for their kind donations of food, clothing and household items.

If you are able to donate funds to help the needy in the Waterberg, please click her for further details.

Sister Grace delivering food and a blanket

Update on care for the needy in the Waterberg, South Africa

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Sister Grace monitoring the development of a baby

The Board of The Waterberg Trust met this week to review projects being supported in the Waterberg region of South Africa.

One of the Trustees, who had just returned from a visit, was able to report that Sister Grace has been busy looking after people’s health and welfare in schools and the wider community. One of her objectives is to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies, which take girls out of school and entrench poverty.

The Knitting Club have been busy producing the most beautiful blankets, hats and shawls, providing comfort for the very young and very old in the Waterberg. Sister Grace distributes these while making home visits when she can check that patients are taking their medication and have enough to eat.

Care for the elderly

Thanks to our supporters’ kind donations, The Waterberg Trust continues to work in partnership with St John’s Church ‘Acts of Mercy’ initiative to help those in need through the pandemic.

Sister Grace distributing hand-knitted blankets

Volunteers help purchase and pack food parcels for about fifty individuals within family groups.

Food parcels donated to the needy in the Waterberg

These are collected from outside the local super market by friends or relatives of the needy. Local farmers donate food.

Food for the school nutrition project is being supplemented with vegetables grown in school veggie gardens by the Environmental Clubs.

Food parcels being collected

TWT has set up a ‘Dignity Dreams Club’ to raise funds to purchase eco-packs of washable sanitary pads for every girl entering secondary education. This is an important, low-cost initiative that gives girls confidence and means they do not miss lessons. Some were taking absence from school for five days a month.

Sister Grace explains how to care for washable sanitary pads.

The pads come with a book for teachers and are distributed with a structured sex-education talk about puberty. TWT is aiming to provide 400 packs a year at a cost of £15 each. The pads are carefully made by Dignity Dreams, a non-profit organization in Pretoria who provide work for the disadvantaged. They last four years. If you would like to help by making a small donation, please click here

For a full list of projects supported by TWT, please click here.

Handmade blanket and hat

TWT donors enable learners in the Waterberg to go on a residental course at Lapalala Wilderness School

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Thanks to The Waterberg Trust supporters who made this life-changing experience possible

‘Our courses are no longer regarded as a luxury but rather as a vitally important component of the education of all our children, with the message that the health of people is intimately connected with the health of the environment.’ Chairman of Lapalala Wilderness School

 Clearly, one of the best ways of ensuring future conservation is to educate the young people. 

After delays caused by C-19 Lockdown, and floods that washed away the access road, a group of twenty-two teenage students from Meetsetshehla Sceondary School in Valwater were able to attend a week-long environmental course at Lapalala Wilderness School in 2021. TWT hope to send another group from Leseding High School in Vaalwater soon.

Learners from Meetsetshehla Secondary School in Vaalwater learning about rivers

The main objectives of the Environmental Education programme are:

  • To spark an interest and passion for the natural world and the conservation.
  • To share knowledge relating to local and global environmental issues and sustainable living.
  • To demonstrate how individuals can have a positive impact on the environment.
  • To build team spirit and nurture leadership skills.
  • To cultivate an appreciation and respect for a pristine wilderness environment.

Students learn about recycling, biodiversity and gain practical help if they are seeking a career in tourism and wildlife conservation. For further details of the course, please see Lapalala Wilderness School’s website here.

Learning to identify plants of the Waterberg. There are approx 340 different species of trees in the area.
  • Lapalala Wilderness School can accommodate sixty pupils and two teachers who reside at the Wilderness School for five days, under COVID -19 lockdown regulations
  • It costs R 400 (£19) per person per day.
  • For 62 individuals for five days costs R 124,000 (£5,885)
  • Return transport from Vaalwater costs R10,000 (£475)

This is exceptionally good value. All in all, it costs R 134,000 (£6,360) to host a group, fully inclusive of teaching, equipment, food and accommodation.

If you would like to find out how to sponsor another group of children to attend the Wilderness School, please click here

Leaners on a game drive through Lapalala Wilderness where they saw lion and a variety of antelope

The Chairman of Lapalala Wilderness School writes:

‘In this, our 35th anniversary year, our supporters will be delighted to know that all of our environmental education programmes are being enthusiastically received, not only by primary and secondary schools but also by university students already specialising in aspects of the conservation and management of biodiversity.’

‘We have influenced teachers from a variety of schools to embrace and acknowledge the critical role of environmental conservation in many facets of our daily lives, and our work to identify and nurture the conservation leaders and champions of the future through our youth development programme has never been more urgently needed.’

Students learning about nature conservation and the job opportunities in tourism and wildlife management

‘In all of these activities the Lapalala Wilderness School is most fortunate to be able to call on a talented team of passionate and enthusiastic educators, many of whom are today widely recognised as truly inspiring mentors.’

Leadership and communication skills are nurtured on each course.

‘Our citizens must understand and support the need to conserve water catchments, wetlands, and the many species of plants and animals which receive far too little attention, such as the pollinators so essential for food security.’

Thank you letters from some of the students

The children were truly grateful for the opportunity and wrote to thank the director of Lapalala Wilderness School:

A letter written to thank the director of Lapalala Wilderness School

The course fits in with the national curriculum. Sister Grace founded an Environmental Club for schools in Vaalwater. Members tend vegetable gardens and have been taken to local game reserves.

Back at school: some of the students who attended the Lapalala Wilderness course, with Sister Grace
Extending knowledge learned at Lapalala Wilderness in the school veggie garden established by the TWT corporate sponsor in South Africa: Environmental Impact Management Services.

For further details about Lapalala Wilderness School, please click here

Acts of Mercy bearing fruit in the Waterberg

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Sister Grace revisited existing beneficiaries this September and October, identifying those needing help and support in the Waterberg region.

OUR FORMER PATIENT THANKED THOSE WHO HELPED HIM OFF THE STREETS AND SENT HIM TO HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. THERE’S A GREAT IMPROVEMENT! HE IS NOW STABLE AND BACK AT WORK. SISTER GRACE MONITORS HIS ADHERENCE AND PROVIDES ONGOING COUNSELING.

A total of 50 beneficiaries received food parcels this month. Sister Grace says, “I make sure there’s no overcrowding at the supermarket as per Covid-19 regulations.”

VOLUNTEERS HELP TO PACK FOOD PARCELS

Some beneficiaries send family members or friends to collect food parcels on their behalf.

 FOOD PARCELS BEING PURCHASED AND PACKED AT A LOCAL SUPERMARKET

PROGRESS: Good relationships with stakeholders such as the South African Police, the local Government Clinic and the Department of Social Development, enable members of the community to be referred effectively and receive the help they need. It’s good to receive timely feedback after interventions so progress can be monitored.

A HOMELESS MAN BEING PROVIDED WITH CLOTHES AND FOOD ON DAILY BASIS. POLICE WERE INFORMED AND THEY TOOK HIM TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MENTAL ASSESSMENT

Some families received food parcels from political leaders during campaign events. Others were promised employment and short term contracts in areas such as road maintenance. This will ensure many families have an income to provide for their families.

School meals

Many learners have access to daily meals at various schools and are occupied with their studies.

Food parcels for the needy in the Waterberg in October 2021

Sister Grace says, “As lockdown restrictions have been reduced, many people are back at work.” However, there is still need in the community. She has been using ‘Acts of Mercy’ funds to help a number of teenage orphans who are in school:

TEENAGE MUM WITH A MONTH OLD BABY RECEIVED FOOD PARCEL AND WASHING POWDER. AN ORPHAN, SHE LIVES WITH HER ELDERLY GRANNY
School shoes and a belt
ORPHANED LEARNER RECEIVED PAIR OF SOCKS AND SHIRT FOR SCHOOL

PROGRESS:

  • Job opportunities are being offered for longer periods.
  • Some community members were offered free skills development in hairdressing so that they can find employment or run their own hair salons
  • Teenage girls from surrounding Schools were blessed with disposable sanitary pads donated by Horizon Horseback clients who also gave R500 cash towards Acts of Mercy.
PADS DONATED BY HORIZON HORSEBACK CLIENTS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO 150 GIRLS

The Waterberg Trust is raising funds to equip all schoolgirls in the Waterberg with sustainable eco-sanitary pads, as you can read here, but these disposables are a welcome stop-gap.

Even the smallest gift will help Sister Grace continue her work helping the needy in the Waterberg. If you would like to make a donation, please click here for contact details. Funds are very carefully spent and are hugely appreciated.

FOOD PURCHASED FOR THE NEEDY IN SEPTEMBER 2021

                

Can you join the Dignity Dreams Club?

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School nurse Sister Grace distributing packs of Dignity Dreams washable sanitary pads for schoolgirls

Could you change a schoolgirl’s future?

Did you know that the majority of secondary school girls in the Waterberg can miss a week’s education every month? Can you imagine what this means to their future life chances?

The reason? They lack sanitary protection. You can change this. For just £15 a girl will receive 6 re-suable Dignitary Dreams sanitary pads with two pairs of pants that will last them for 5 years. This is an educational  game-changer, ending shame and improving self-esteem for vulnerable teenagers.

It’s simple, it makes an immediate difference, and has a lifelong benefit.

Can you help?

The Waterberg Trust aims to provide all girls in secondary schools of the Waterberg with an eco-friendly pack of Dignity Dreams reusable sanitary protection.

Please join the Dignity Dreams Club and commit to an annual donation of £15 (or more) in order to provide a girl with sanitary protection.

Click here for our page on ways of making a donation

Sister Grace using a book on how to use the pads

Students are given a talk on puberty and how to use the pads before they are distributed. It is a good opportunity for them to ask questions and learn how to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.

The NGO Dignity Dreams issue a book for teachers to use, helping them to give engaging talks on puberty and the female reproductive system in line with the curriculum. There is also an instruction leaflet in in pack.

The book commissioned by Dignity Dreams for teachers to use when distributing the pads

There are six pads in each pack, designed for washing with Sunlight soap in cold water, rinsed in salty water and dried in hot sun. They are made by outworkers for Dignity Dreams, which is a not-for-profit employment scheme running in Pretoria. In effect, you’d be supporting two charities at once.

Sister Grace showing pupils how the washable pads work

The girls like the design of the pink and green stripped underpants that come in the packs. One pad is equivalent to 144 disposable pads. They say they are both helpful and durable.

Another class of secondary schoolgirls received a pack of re-useable pads

The Waterberg Trust first distributed Dignity Dreams pads in January 2019 thanks to sponsorship from TWT donors and Environmental Impact Management Services who kindly brought a speaker up from Pretoria. You can read about how we equipped 210 girls here.

Speaker Verita Shikwambana from Dignity Dreams

Secondary schools in the Waterberg have an annual intake of 460 girls. This year, we have managed to equip 145 girls entering one of the schools. We need another 315 packs as soon as possible. If you could help with a few it would be hugely appreciated. The girls and their parents are truly grateful.

The total number of girls in the secondary schools of the Waterberg is 948. To help them all we need to purchase another 593 pads. At a cost of £15 for a pack (+courier charges) our aim is to raise £8,895 for this project.

A note of thanks from one of the students

Helping the needy in the Waterberg

Africa, Charity, Community projects, Education, Healthcare, HIV, HIV awareness, HIV prevention, Home Based Care, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, Palliative Care, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Vulnerable Children, Waterberg, Youth
Sister Grace in the Waterberg

ACTS OF MERCY REPORT AUGUST 2021

Nursing Sister Grace writes, “I worked with the Social Development team, making home visits and registering those in need of social support, while helping those who are eligible to apply for the Social Relief Distress Grant (SRD). Many people were successfully registered and will be able to receive the grant as planned by the Government. Foreign nationals who have valid identification passports were also registered. During the registration process the Department of Social Development handed out food parcels to identified families and those with passports. Political leaders also distributed clothes, blankets and sanitary pads to the community.”

Youth benefiting from the scheme

I REFERRED 25 UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE TO REGISTER FOR A SOCIAL RELIEF GRANT WHICH WAS SUCCESSFUL AND 15 WILL RECEIVE MONTHLY FOOD PARCELS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

SCHOOL CHILDREN CONTINUE TO ACCESS DAILY MEALS FROM THE SCHOOL FEEDING SCHEMES

“Employment opportunities were created in our municipality. Members of the community, including youth, were hired by the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) to work in different allocated sectors. This helps many families receive an income. More informal traders are selling farm produce and other items. Some families have vegetable gardens on their premises, which help to generate income and supplement meals.”

CHALLENGES:

  • Essential supplies and costs have increased, which leads to many families running out of food before the month end.
  • Dysfunctional families don’t  buy food for their dependents in spite of having an income.
  • An elderly man, the uncle of a mentally ill beneficiary who is under our monthly care and support, was physically beaten and injured by his son. The matter was reported to the local police for further investigation.
  • Alcohol consumption is a huge problem. Some people buy alcohol rather than food.
  • Increase in teenage pregnancy

FOOD PARCELS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO 58 INDIVIDUALS IDENTIFIED AS NEEDY

Acts of Mercy food parcels, August 2021

BENEFICIARIES PACK THEIR OWN FOOD PARCELS. THOSE WHO CAN’T REACH THE SUPERMARKET HAVE THEIRS DELIVERED BY VOLUNTEERS

Fewer food parcels were distributed than in previous months thanks to an increase in Social Relief Distress Grants

KNITTING CLUB

We continue to knit blankets, jerseys and shawls, which are distributed to those in need. A big thank you to the dedicated ladies who do the knitting. Wool is purchased with money kindly donated by supporters.

One of the completed blankets ready to be donated.

HEALTH EDUCATION:

Sister Grace says, “I reached out to the community and encouraged people to get vaccinated against Covid-19. The number of those receiving the vaccine has been amazing for both adults and youth. The local clinic keeps me posted on the availability of vaccines. I stress the importance of taking treatment for chronic conditions, as prescribed and educate family members on health, basic hygiene and access to contraceptives for teenagers.”

Donations, however modest, are hugely appreciated. Funds are spent very carefully. If you would like to help support the poor in the Waterberg, please click here

A beneficiary collecting their food parcel

Food parcel distribution continues as the Delta variant keeps the Waterberg in Lockdown

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Preparing food parcels for seventy-four needy people in the Waterberg

Sister Grace reports, ‘It has been a challenging time.’ Tighter Lockdown regulations were imposed on South Africa in June 2021 to reduce the risk of Corvid 19 spreading, however the vulnerable and terminally ill continue to need special care and support.

You can watch President Ramaphosa’s address to the nation on 15th June 221 here:

CHALLENGES encountered in Vaalwater in July 2021:

  • Our Community has seen an increase in substance and drug addiction amongst the youth. Boys below the age of 20 have been found injecting drugs using the same syringe and needles. They looked violent. (The Police were informed and are currently monitoring the situation)
  • Increase in community theft has been reported
  • Some children have never been to school and keep wandering around, begging money.
Sister Grace is supporting chronically ill patients by collecting their medication from the local government clinic, providing homebased care and ongoing adherence counselling.
  • Essential food supplies prices went up in July due to violent attacks in some parts of South Africa, which resulted in stock shortages.
  • Some beneficiaries have become dependent on receiving food parcels and do not want to work nor do piece jobs to earn income
  • Gender based violence occurs in some families due to lack of income and employment
  • Orphaned children lack parental care and support
  • Social gatherings and alcohol sales continue without adhering to Corvid 19 protocols

Providing essentials for a teenage mother who had just had a cesarean section

Sister Grace has been able to visit the needy and supply relevant needs.

PROGRESS:

  • Some members of the community have been offered short-term employment within the town and surrounding lodges
  • School children are back at school and able to access meals from the feeding scheme program
  • The Social Relief Grant has been extended to help the unemployed to provide for their families
  • The Department of Social Development continues to provide food parcels to those registered in their system.
Providing baby clothes for a schoolgirl expecting a baby

The Waterberg Trust aims to fill the gap by helping vulnerable people without papers who Social Services can not help.

Sister Grace helping an unschooled boy who is sent out to beg

Dr Peter Farrant of the Northern Education Trust reports that, ‘Substance abuse is becoming a serious problem. We will have to work on a local solution, but that is easier said than done!’


The knitting Club is busy knitting blankets, shawls and jerseys, donated to those in need. The granny who received this shawl is 101 years old.

There are many different ways in which you could help or become involved. If you would like to find out how you can make a donation to The Waterberg Trust, please click here

Some families come to collect food parcels. Volunteers dropped off others

We will continue to provide food parcels and donated items to those in need, conducting routine assessments, home visits and health education. 

Sister Grace works with the local clinic, the South African Police, Social Development, local churches and community leaders to ensure TWT is well informed and the needy can access support.

A beneficiary collecting her food parcel from outside the supper market

ACTS OF MERCY REPORT for MAY 2021

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Food parcels are being distributed in the Waterberg to support 113 needy people. Dr Peter Farrant says, “It is a busy time as temperatures are dropping significantly and winter is imposing herself!”

Sister Grace writes to say:  I continued my routine home visits to identify new beneficiaries, checking up on previous ones and teaching basic health education to families and their children. This includes preventive measures to curtail the spread of the common cold, regular hand washing and the importance of wearing masks when in public places. I noticed that many people are ignorant about the need to wear masks when interacting with others.  

-Sister Grace in the Waterberg-

Some beneficiaries have found employment while others have relocated to their families. Those with valid documentation were referred to the Social Development for continuity of food parcel support.

I managed to locate the Mozambican family who are related to the mentally disabled person who stands by the roadside near Build- It hardware shop. I referred this matter to the Social Worker and the Police Victim Support unit but it is taking too long to get him transferred to hospital for proper psychological assessment and treatment. A concerted effort is being made to take the man to the local district hospital using the SAPS. The plan is to manage his mental illness and provide shelter.

CHALLENGES:  I came across 2 teenage mothers who had family disputes with their parents. They were left without food for days. I managed to conduct family meetings and distributed food parcels to the children. They are continuing to attend school. One girl is in grade 10 at Meetsethehla School, aged 17 years, the other in grade 12 at Lesideng High School, aged 18 years.

–We equip some learners without parents with school uniform–

Some Youths are under the influence of alcohol and substance abuse even at school which leads them to scholastic and learning failure and in the  community to theft and gender-based violence.

I found it difficult to locate those needy families living in informal settlements as the addresses are not properly indicated, however those with phone contacts were able to be assisted.

Many foreign residents on chronic medication had poor adherence due to lack of understanding and the language barrier as they could not speak the local language nor English. I involved local caregivers who could translate and explain clearly.

– FAMILY MEMBERS COLLECT FOOD PARCELS ON BEHALF OF THEIR SICK RELATIVES –

PROGRESS: School children have access to meals on daily basis and are attending school.

Social Workers and religious groups help distribute food parcels to the elderly and vulnerable.

Community members have been offered temporary employment within the community and private sector which enables them to supply their families.

FUTURE PLANS:

To continue reaching out to the vulnerable and provide needed support i.e. food parcels, nutritional supplements, clothing warm blankets and psychosocial counselling.

The need for shelter for the homeless was discussed at an Elders meeting. The plan is to improve our existing shelter and to manage it more effectively. It is important to ensure that it is used for limited periods per person, so that it is not occupied permanently, as is the case at present.

If you wold like to support this project by making a donation – please click here

Funds are carefully monitored.

-Taking food to the sick –

SUPPORTING LETHABO KID’S CLUB 2015-2021

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Lethabo Kid’s Club – a place of fun, food and life lessons has been closed due to Covid Lockdown. They usually come running every Wednesday – 300 to 700 children each week.  It is their special day where they know they ‘belong’. Lethabo means ‘happiness’.

The Waterberg Trust has been supporting Lethabo Kid’s Club’s ‘Back to School’ project since 2015. The aim is to ensure every child is registered to go to school at the beginning of the school year in January by whipping up enthusiasm and ensuring they are equipped with school uniform.

The foundation also aims to:

  1. Teach the children about Jesus, and that He loves them
  2. Provide good nourishing food to supplement sometimes meager diets.

Exciting Bible Stories that teach ‘Jesus loves you’ and life lessons are taught by the older youth and young adults.

Yummy peanut butter and jam sandwiches and fresh farm milk satisfy their hungry tummies. Many may not have had anything to eat all day and this is after school. Eager hands and anxious faces reach out for food.

Special days during the year are ‘Sausage Roll Day’ where each child gets his own sausage roll, yogurt and cool drink. These are lovingly prepared by the local Academy who love participating in this gift to the children. At Christmastime, we give each child a t-shirt, bright and colorful with a special logo on it, such as, “Jesus loves you”, “My best friend is Jesus”, and “Jesus is my Good Shepherd” Psalm 23, and a little lamb. All year, we see older and new t-shirts around the community and at Kid’s Club.

    Our biggest project the past few years has been buying school clothes. With so many children in need, we specify ‘one’ thing each – most need shoes or a new school bag. This is so important to them as they are often mocked by other children if their shoes are broken or their shirts are too small or torn. If we determine that a child has a greater need, we buy the whole kit for him. This huge project is sponsored by The Waterberg Trust (TWT) with much love.

    Hard-wearing school shoes costing under £10 a pair

    Assisting high school matriculants with tertiary studies is a natural outgrowth of Kid’s Club.  Most of these students have grown up in Lethabo Kid’s Club and now are looking forward to getting their futures established. Our organization for this is The Kholofelo Association, ‘Giving Hope to Youth” –  a registered NPO in South Africa. Students are assisted with school fees, accommodation, food and transport where necessary. We’re seeing wonderful growth in them as young adults studying diligently and preparing for jobs as chefs, in tourism, electrical engineering, child care, office management and IT studies. While their courses are not on a university level, they do give a ‘step up’ in qualifying for a job. With only a High School Matric and no experience, they otherwise find themselves without hope.

    We’ve spent more than 20 years giving and loving children and youth! Now we see many as young adults with jobs. They always come back to their ‘roots’ at Lethabo Kid’s Club. There is still that sense of ‘belonging’.

    We are confident that the children and youth are being taught life lessons which will stay with them all their lives. Will you join us in changing lives! There are a number of different ways you can donate here

    News on Food Parcel Distribution in the Waterberg for families in need

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    Thirty families in need of support in the Waterberg are being visited to ensure they have enough food and essential supplies. Education on basic hygiene measures is also offered. We are helping two child-headed families, some who are chronically ill, a man badly bitten by a dog, women with small children left with no means of support, an old woman with no ID card and many other needy cases.

    120 individuals benefited in November and 94 in December 2020

    TWT aims to support those who do not receive any social grant money, who are unemployed with no source of income or support, and are in urgent need of help. Those already on the Social Development system have been handed over to a social worker who has provided 18 families with food parcels donated by Shambala Game Reserve.

    Nurse Grace works with Choppies supermarket and volunteers from St John’s Church who help to pack food parcels and deliver them to the elderly and those who can’t reach the supermarket due health issues.

    We have been able to help those in crisis: thieves broke into one man’s house, stealing all his groceries whilst he was at a funeral. Another man had a fire at his house and needed clothes for his six children.

    If you would like to make a donation to The Waterberg Trust Covid-19 Appeal to assist the needy, please click here.

    A WIDOW AND HER DAUGHTER BOTH COME FROM LESOTHO HAVE NO ID BOOKS . THE DAUGHTER HAS NEW BORN BABY.  AFTER LOSING HER HUSBAND IN AUGUST 2020, HER INLAWS TOOK THE FURNITURE AND LEFT THEM WITH NO SUPPORT OR FOOD.

    Progress!
    School children attending school benefit from the feeding scheme program
    Those receiving grants are able to buy essential supplies for the family.

    Some people are back at work while others now sell produce at the local market
    Job opportunities for local community members in various sectors are emerging.

    SCHOOL UNIFORM was bought for a boy from a dysfunctional family who now has counseling.
    Current Challenges:
    Increase in food prices.
    Some families arrive late or find it difficult to collect the food.
    Four children below the age of 10 are being neglected by their mother due alcohol. The issue has been handed over to social development for intervention.
    5 families were abusing social grants. The cases were reported to the social worker.
    Some people are becoming dependent on food parcels and do not want to work.

    House break-ins and stealing within the community is worrisome with young boys involved in stealing from their parents.
    Huge families are unable to feed their dependents.
    Re-opening of taverns contributes to insecurity and unnecessary expenditure. This results in many drunken people leaving no food for their family.

    Poor living conditions in informal settlements with poor sanitation and no water. Youth hang around quiet streets where they smoke, drink alcohol and abuse substances.
    Cases of  gender-based violence resulting in physical injury and assault needed to be reported to the Police station.
    One men was severely injured and needed to be taken to hospital.
    Teenage pregnancies remain a challenge.