Modder East residents receive clothing donation

The visit took place on Tuesday, where shortly after the team arrived, the locals swarmed the cars waiting for goods.

Clothing was shared amongst the residents by Hazel Pascoal, Zanele Atumane, Zandi Ifeanyi and Tsholofelo Ditshego, who are the four women from Yenza Okuhle God Givers, which is an unregistered donation project they started in March.

“We have gone around to five different informal settlements donating old clothes and sometimes vegetables to people living in squatter camps.

“These donations are done out of our own pockets, while some of the help we get is from our families and friends,” says Ifeanyi.

Atumane says the aim of the project is to help people in need and to assist in reducing the rate of poverty in informal settlements.

“As friends, since we all don’t work, we know what is like to be in need, but we have not allowed our unemployment to be an obstacle for us doing good for others.

“For this reason we strive to encourage others who are not working.

“We are happy to give as it doesn’t cost us much and we enjoy seeing others happy and in a better place” says Pascoal.

Ditshego says they used to complain about not having certain things due to unemployment but now they are happy seeing the joy these donations bring to others.

A resident of this area, Linah Mbuli (58), says she is grateful for the help as most people in the area are unemployed.

This leaves them struggling for basic needs such as food and clothing.

Jacob Masku (60) says the women should do this for many others as they are not the only ones in need.

“I am a pensioner, and though I try getting odd jobs wherever I can, it’s not always easy,” he says.

The women will host a ‘Christmas Came Early Campaign’ and are asking for the community to help them with food and clothing items.

They will also have a ‘Back to School Drive’ in January.

For more information, call 074 047 7665 or 082 851 5624.