#HopeForAlex brings hope to the people of Alex

Non-profit organisation Rays of Hope has about 30 NPOs based in Alexandra and has been supporting #HopeFor Alex, an organisation that was started when the first case of the coronavirus was reported in South Africa in March 2020.

Rays of Hope has been assisting #HopeForAlex with things including transportation for the distribution of food parcels, airtime to conduct assessments and the storage of food parcels.

The spokesperson of the organisation Andrew Tshikota said with the increase in crime following the Covid-19 lockdown, a number of families were faced with a lot of difficulties and the organisation had to help in any way possible.

“Many families were and still are depending on their children’s social grant for basic needs and rental. There are other community members who lost almost everything in a fire that engulfed about 10 family homes. Of course, this is common in an informal settlement in Alexandra but we have to come together and restore what was lost,” explained Tshikota. 

Tshikota said #HopeForAlex consisted of volunteers who had lost their jobs. “However, they are keen to assist as they were fully aware of the struggle, as they are experiencing it as well.

“Food parcels were distributed to community members at Sankopano and it went very well. All the rules and regulations for Covid-19 were observed. Community members seemed to be happy and grateful for the food parcels.” 

An assessment took place before distributing as there were certain criterion to follow to distribute food parcels to communities. #HopeForAlex has a team that focuses on administration work which consists of screening members of the community, registering and issuing disclaimer forms.

This is done so as to ensure that whoever gets the food parcels was the person who had registered.

“This whole process started after seeing the many people in Alexandra who are facing a number of challenges. Due to the high rate of unemployment, an increase in crime, drug abuse, domestic violence, and Covid-19 triggered the unprecedented crisis in human history,” said Tshikota. 

“The love of the community and the pain of seeing them suffering made this project possible. Children were roaming the streets of Alexandra begging for food in dangerous places. Some started to commit crimes because of hunger. Many homes were filled with domestic violence and this was because of the lack of food.”

Tshikota added that #HopeForAlex was trying to eliminate the social ills happening in and around Alexandra by assisting community members with food parcels.

“The plan is to keep supporting and assist the community of Alex by providing them with basic necessities such as food and toiletries.”