THE iDare2Care sleep over in Durban on Friday night was a huge hit with all who took time out of their lives to experience a night on the street, like the street children I Care deals with every day.
I Care in collaboration with eThekwini Municipality, hosted the event, which was supported by around 1000 people, who spent a night sleeping on the streets of Durban to raise awareness for the plight of the homeless.
The aim of this event was to raise awareness for the homeless and vulnerable children and adults of Durban, to provide people with an opportunity to experience a little of what life is like as a homeless person in our city, and to raise money for I Care.
I Care is an NGO that has been transforming the lives of street children for 13 years with a number of programmes including outreach, rehabilitation, housing/shelter and skills development.
People from all over Durban rallied together to participate in sleeping on the street for one night, and raised sponsorships from generous donors who dared them to sleep on the streets for the night, with funds contributing to I Care’s work in the city.
Wayne Sandeman, Pastor of His People Church, as well as many of his congregants, played a huge role in the success of this event.
“Sanitech, Rescue Care, Blue Security, DSW, Denis Hurley Centre, We Are Durban and the Metro Police also assisted on the evening, and we are very grateful to them for the smooth running and safety of the event. Representatives from various organisations were present with facilities available to educate the local homeless people about the various health and well-being services available to them by I Care and the City,” said Gail Elson from I Care.
I Care also collected donations of blankets in the morning to distribute among the needy.
“It is evident with all the feedback received that everyone valued the experience of spending a night on the streets. Interaction with the homeless as well as making new friends is something that will be etched in our minds forever,” said Gail.
Gail encouraged those who took part in the event to tag I Care and post their photos from the iDare2Care night on the I Care Facebook page.
