Ministry makes sleeping bags for homeless

It is estimated that 280 to 300 homeless people call the streets of Benoni home.

Carrying their belongings in tattered bags, these individuals are often seen sleeping under damp blankets to keep the winter chill at bay.

For the past 10 years, Dereck Prowling, founder of Heart Reach Ministries, has extended a helping hand to the city’s homeless.

He has taken the time to learn their names and get to know their stories.

Often seen delivering food, he uses the opportunity to minister to people who have become statistics of drug
abuse and addiction, hoping that a request for prayers may guide them to seek help.

With the onset of winter, Dereck once again witnessed how those in need huddle against walls, searching for
nooks and crannies to escape the icy wind.

“Members of the community, religious organisations as well as various NPOs have on countless occasions collected blankets and handed them out to those in need.

“Yet, it is one of the realities of living on the streets that if you have something of value it is sold and traded.”

In an attempt to supply the homeless with a source of warmth while creating an item that does not have any monetary value, Dereck drew inspiration from an initiative launched in the Western Cape in 2016, where sleeping
bags were fashioned using industrial-strength plastic and newspapers.

“I realised that this may be the solution as these sleeping bags have no trading value.

“They are easy and lightweight but due to the insulation, it provides heat while the plastic offers protection from rain and frost,” he said.

“I was able to rustle up volunteers in assisting in the production of these items and with a donation received
from Caxton Local Media of newspapers, the process was kicked into gear.”

After successfully producing a couple of bags, Dereck handed these out to homeless last week.

Upon considering their reviews, they had to modify the design to meet their needs.

“We have never had to sleep on the streets and cannot take a stock-standard approach in making these items,” he said.

“We soon learnt that the bags need to be slightly longer and wider for optimum cover. A little more moving
space is also needed should they have a blanket to place inside or to safely store some of their belongings.”

Setting up an informal production line, these bags are steadily making their way to the streets.

“The feedback that we have received so far has been positive and recipients are still in possession of their sleeping
bags, which is an indication that it is not only being used for their intended purpose but that it has not yet garnered any value,” he said.

“However, this is just a temporary solution to one of the problems facing the homeless. There is no easy solution.”

Dereck explains that people living on the streets often turn to coping mechanisms to stave off hunger or ease
anxiety and depression.

“I keep going back to the communities, spending time with them in the hopes of even just getting through to the one individual who wants to get out and strive for a better future.”

Speaking of community involvement, Dereck said that so many people have given something to a homeless person only to see them possibly discarding a well intended meal or using money to buy drugs and alcohol.

“The truth is, we do not have the skills nor the resources to assist. To help those who really want to be helped, we need to get behind organisations that specialise in rehabilitating and up-skilling,” he said.

“It is only through this type of support that these men, women and, sadly, children can get the help they need.”

For more information regarding Heart Reach Ministries, visit the website at www.heartreach.org.za or follow them on Facebook.

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