Ithabeleng donates food parcels to people living with disabilities in Alexandra
ALEXANDRA – Ithabeleng Organisation for the Disabled has handed out 243 food parcels and provided other essentials such as wheelchairs to the disabled members of their organisation.
When the lockdown started on 26 March, Ithabeleng Organisation for the Disabled decided to start donating food parcels to people living with disabilities around Alexandra.
Founder of the organisation, Joseph Pompa Pompa Setlhake, said they were able to give out 243 food parcels thanks to their partners which include Rays of Hope, Sibusiso Cosmos Zwane Foundation, Benzel Bulk Diesel, Gift of the Givers, SPAR and Freedom Supermarket.
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“When the first national lockdown was announced, Zain Bulbulia, acting Deputy Director-General of Special Programmes in the office of the [Gauteng] Premier assisted us in our partnership with the Muslim community. They gave us 25 food parcels,” explained Setlhake.
Sibusiso Zwane of the Sibusiso Cosmos Zwane Foundation said that hunger has always been a problem within the community of Alexandra, “But at least people had the liberty to move and try something that could put bread on the table. This pandemic has limited their mobility, hence we had to step in so we prevent the spread of the virus.”
Setlhake said the bulk of the food parcel donations came from Kempton Park-based Benzol Bulk Diesel. “They donated 200 food parcels and [we were able to distribute parcels to] our 110 members and other vulnerable families.”
Setlhake said they have also partnered with Rotary Club Northcliff to help provide wheelchairs and crutches to their members during the coronavirus pandemic. So far, they have donated three wheelchairs and two pairs of crutches to members in Alexandra.
David Grant, a district governor for the Sandton Rotary Club, confirmed that the Rotary Club Northcliff recently helped Ithabeleng with donations of wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and walking sticks.
Even with all this success, Setlhake said that they are still looking to build ramps and paraplegic toilets for their members. They hope to do this on Nelson Mandela International Day, 18 July.
“We are calling all the hardware shops for donations of cement, toilet material, and plumbing. We will also be donating clothes and blankets to our members, therefore, we are calling all sponsors to partner with us to make this possible,” pleaded Setlhake.
Setlhake concluded that food parcels remain a challenge because lockdown regulations are still in place. “We are appealing to donors to donate food parcels to our members. Please assist us in making Mandela Day rememberable during Covid-19.”
Details: If you are able to assist the Ithabeleng Organisation for the Disabled, contact Joseph Setlhake on 078 655 7326.
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