Diepsloot Youth Programme changes with the times for Covid-19

The Diepsloot Youth Programme looked back on the year and how they have assisted the community.

The programme is a non-profit organisation which works with different schools and other community groups and forums in the Diepsloot area.

Sophy Tlhabadira, one of the founders of the programme, said most of their efforts and resources have been put into their Food Security Programme in which almost 30 000 food parcels were handed out.
“Due to Covid-19, we have not been doing our usual programmes in the schools, which is primarily educating.

“We also handed out vegetable packs for the Department of Social Development, and Makro vouchers to Sassa clients as part of the Telesure programme,” she said.

Tlhabadira added that the programme has taken on seven soup kitchens which have produced almost 80 000 meals to those in need. In an effort to further empower the community and cut the dependency mode, a number of home-growers are being built.

“One of the main soup kitchens have started a vegetable garden, which will support the soup kitchens going forward, then we are handing over 20 home-growing packs, including the seedlings.

“These teams will be planting in their own homes for their own families and sharing with neighbours, but we hope there will be some real serious farmers coming out of this group that will form a co-operative with its own business model.”

Tlhabadira expressed her gratitude to the various organisations for all their assistance in the year.

“The various organisations and individuals have donated all sorts of items like their time to pack, books, nappies, milk, ready prepared soups… too many to mention. We are incredibly thankful to ColCacchio Nicolway, Telesure Investment Holdings, St Peter’s College, Tri-Star Construction, so many individuals! People really came in numbers to help where they could. It was hectic, collaborative, high spirit, incredible, but worth it.”