Small but effective grassroots charity in rural South Africa

Orphaned teenagers collecting food to feed their siblings

ACTS OF MERCY REPORT JANUARY 2021

CHALLENGES:

Limpopo Province has been marked as the Covid-19 pandemic epi-centre with daily numbers of rising infections. This was a result of people travelling from other Provinces and visitors from neighbouring countries for festive holidays.
We have seen a rise in gender-based violence and family disputes. A single mother had a fight with her parents and was chased out of the house with her two daughters. She had to seek shelter from friends who accommodated them temporarily.
The ban on selling alcohol and closing of taverns led to the abuse of homemade traditional beer and arrests for breaking Lockdown regulations.
Some people in the community do not wear masks and are walking the streets freely, which can be a risk to others.
One homeless man has no identity document and says he has no family. His case has been handed over to the Social Development Department.
Relationships break-up due to employment issues.
Retrenchments have affected many, leaving them stranded and unable to support their families.

Despite Lockdown restricted movements, Nursing Sister Grace managed to reach out to the Community, assessed those who needed food parcels and made a follow-up visits to previous beneficiaries to check if they can sustain their families. Some families had gone on holiday, others had found short term employment, while others had no source of income. She also came across two homeless men who needed food and clothing.

Food parcels for the unemployed who do not receive support elsewhere

NOTE: VOLUNTEERS DELIVER FOOD PARCELS TO THE ELDERLY AND THOSE WHO ARE CHRONICALLY ILL AND CANNOT REACH THE SUPERMARKET.

Sister Grace assessing a homeless man at the local petrol station

Sister Grace says, “I take food parcels to a few of the beneficiaries to avoid overcrowding at the supermarket, as per Lockdown regulations. All beneficiaries are advised to follow the Covid-19 protocols of wearing masks whenever they come to receive their food parcels.

A homeless man being brought food on a daily basis by Sr Grace as he has nowhere to store groceries. He was provided with clothes and referred to the social worker.

The beneficiaries were grateful and appreciative upon receiving food parcels.

A total of 55 people were aided. Some families received two parcel-packs as they have so many dependents.

Sister Grace says, “Besides the normal food parcels, I buy food supplements and additional nutrition for those who are chronically ill with HIV, diabetes and cancer to help them boost their immune system and to gain back strength i.e. liquid milk, future life and Morvite instant porridge.”

Food parcels delivered to a pensioner living in a caravan

If you would like to help by making a donation, however small, please click here

FUTURE PLANS:

To continue to liaise with stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery of services to the community and to avoid duplication.

To continue to educate families about basic hygiene and how to prevent infections, including adherence counselling for those on lifelong treatment.

The next food parcels will be bought in February and handed out to those in need. Emergency food parcels will be provided immediately if the need arises.

Compiled By: Nursing Sister Grace

A single, expectant mother who has lost her ID card being helped with food

Nurse Grace helping lady in Leseding

-Nurse Grace conducting a home visit in the township of Leseding-

DAILY TASKS:

During this Corvid-19 pandemic lockdown I dedicated my work in the community to educating families and school children about the Corvid 19 virus signs and symptoms as well as basic hygiene measures to ensure they understand ways of transmission and how they can prevent community infection. It was during that time that I also made home assessments and identified those families that needed support with food, clothes and proper shelter.

-Food parcel distribution to the unemployed during Lockdown-

School children were encouraged to study at home. I also helped those in Matric, through a WhatsApp group, to share ideas and questions for specific subjects. Others were encouraged to access learning through direct teaching from television and radio broadcasting programs at scheduled times. Counselling support service was provided to those facing serious issues and referrals were made when needed for further management.

CHALLENGES:

Lack of food in many families due to no income.
Family disputes leading to physical injury i.e. fighting and verbal abuse
Increase in gender based violence
Loss of jobs and insecurity
Suicidal attempts in some learners due to emotional stress and poor family support
Increase in alcohol & substance abuse in some learners as they are not going to school
Increase in crime rates like house breaking, shops and schools
Undocumented foreign nationals who have no job nor proper income

Nurse Grace helping a homeless man in Vaalwater May 2020

-Nurse Grace helping the homeless in Vaalwater-

SUCCESS STORIES:

Through the kind donation of funds from The Waterberg Trust, Church of St John the Baptist at 24 Rivers, individual donors and fellow Christians who donated clothes, many people were blessed with food parcels, clothing, bedding and shelter. The criteria for food donation was: vulnerable families, school children and foreign nationals who could not afford to buy food. Thorough assessments, through home visits, were completed and a list drawn of beneficiaries. Some were referred by the Social Development and Lethabo Kids Club.

Nurse Grace with food parcels purchased in suppermarket

-Sorting TWT food parcels before distribution-

FUTURE PLANS:

To continue reaching out to the vulnerable community and those in urgent need for support.

The next food parcel distribution will be the second week of June to avoid month-end overcrowding when people are busy getting their social grants and buying goods. During mid-month is when most families run out of food supplies. We will work with Department of Social Development who will help to distribute the food parcels. Those food parcels which are supplied by St John’s and TWT will be clearly marked and carries a personal note for the recipient.

We will continue to liaise with stake holders to avoid duplication of food distribution in the community i.e. Social Development Services staff, religious groups and other institutions which are involved in helping the community.

Nurse Grace with donations of clothes, bedding May 2020

-Sorting donations of clothes and a bed-

STATISTICS:

Total number of people visited and assessed 150 during Lockdown

Food parcels – 75 (TWT funded 40 – St John’s Church and local individuals funded 35)

Clothing parcels – 30

Providing shelter – 2

Counselling – 10 (Gender Based Violence, Sexual abuse, suicide attempts & fighting)

Referrals – 13 (Application for birth & ID certificates, Social grants and food parcel application)

Treatment support – 20 learners reached and assisted to collect medication from clinic and needed adherence counselling.

The above duty commitment was made possible because of the support received from donors, fellow Christians and individuals.

May God greatly bless you for supporting our community during this challenging time.

Nurse Grace and reciepient in Leseding May 2020

ACKNNOWLEDGEMENT MESSAGES FROM SOME OF THE BENEFICIARIES THAT RECEIVED FOOD PARCELS:

‘On behalf of my family I would like to say thanks to St John’s and The Waterberg Trust, the donors and supporters. May the almighty Lord bless them, thanks –’ Emmy Banda
‘Thank you very much you are really God sent’ – Lisa Mofokeng
‘Thank you for the food parcel we appreciate your help Sister Grace’ – Dikeledi Mokoena
‘God knows your heart’ – Julia Ntomane
‘I don’t know what to say but only God will bless you more’ – Maria Nel

Report compiled by: Grace Ismail. Note: The people who appeared on the photos gave consent and agreed that their pictures can be used and shared with sponsors.

Thanks to kind donors in the UK, The Waterberg Trust has been able to send enough funds for a second allocation of food parcels but we winter has set in and we don’t know how long the emergency will last. Schools have gone back but tourism, which is the main source of employment in the district, remains shut down.

To see more photos of the food parcel distribution, please click here.

If you would like to make a donation to TWT’s Covid-19 Appeal, please click here for TWT’s Just giving page (please leave a brief message) or here for the address to which cheques can be sent.