Over 2 000 Diepsloot families received food from Shumbashaba
DIEPSLOOT – The organisation raised over R124 000 to help feed families in need.
Shumbashaba has raised R124 400 to help feed 2 311 families in Diepsloot during lockdown.
Heather Rufus, who assists with social media and marketing for Shumbashaba, said, “The aim of this programme is to provide food aid to those who had become food insecure as a result of the virus and lockdown. The aim was to catch those people who were slipping through the safety net provided by the government and other non-profit relief programmes.”
Rufus said the response from families in Diepsloot has been overwhelming. “Many of the families were going days without food and had little hope of being able to change that, to provide for their children. The physical and psychological toll of this is enormous.”
Rufus said the aid packages, first as food and then electronic vouchers, have given people a sense of hope, security and relief with the knowledge that even just for a week ahead, they will be able to feed themselves and their families.The programme, coordinated by Shumbashaba, was funded through donations from individuals and a few organisations.
Shumbashaba has worked in Diepsloot for years running a youth development programme on Saturdays for children ranging in age from four to 18.”Sports, different life skills, education programmes and a nutritious meal were provided for 200 to 600 children each Saturday. As a result of the programmes like this, we have a network of people and organisations on the ground who have made us aware of any people in desperate need of help.
“The team began distributing within the Shumbashaba participation network 10 days into the national lockdown whilst also working on a list of other people who either approached the organisation directly or were referred by other NPOs, Metro police or Diepsloot residents.
Organisers, Tumi Hlongwane and Tebogo Mashala, who were central to the youth development programme, took charge of the distribution process, followed up with families and headed up the admin side.The Shumbashaba team would like to thank every individual who donated as well as the Collaboration Foundation and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints for their generous support.
Community members can continue to donate to the initiative through www.portal.ihive.org/Donate/Index?id=step1.
Details: Residents can also follow @shumbashabacommunitytrust on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
