NPO Community Development Foundation International continues to change lives in over five countries worldwide.

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Founded by Barlin Govender in 2000, the charity organisation has branches in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Johannesburg, Brazil, Mozambique and other countries.

He was born and raised in Chatsworth, Durban, where everything began.

“I started by taking care of family and neighbours because even as a young man, I had a heart of giving and helping others,” said Govender.

“At age 17, I had a life-changing process where I gave my life to God and accepted him. From that moment, everything changed. If I had not submitted to God, I would have been a gangster,” he said.

“It would not have been by choice to be a gangster, but the environment I grew up in was making choices for people. I was not so good at school, to begin with.

“At 22 years old, I started embarking on forming this organisation, and with simple salary and donations, I was helping people with food and essentials.

“In 2000, I left all the organisations I worked with to start my own.

“The foundation has embarked on projects that reached millions of people around the world. During lockdown, the organisation has delivered over a million meals to people in Ekurhuleni, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha).

“We could do so with the aid of local businesses and various structures. We continue to supply communities with daily or weekly help in various areas, be it food or clothes, uniforms and more.

“The organisation is always in need of food, clothes, nappies and financial support. Our projects include a gardening project that aims to empower people and tackle the food security issue in our communities.

“Children are close to my heart. We help mothers and organisations that care for little children who were abandoned or require external support. We deliver nappies and essentials.

“We are looking to build a community centre in Ramaphosa informal settlement and a library at one of their schools. We are invested in the education of our young people.

“We have delivered sanitary packs and assisted many with school uniforms.

“This year, we need transport help. We ask that anyone willing to donate a bakkie or cover our petrol fees, please do so. Contact me on 084 659 8772,” said Govender.