CAST cares for families in need

YOLANDA Stigling’s family is one of the many families that are assisted by The Church Alliance for Social Transformation (CAST) in the Mariannridge community.

The organisation has been registered and operational since 2010 and CAST partners with local churches in KwaZulu-Natal to empower and spiritually-uplift underprivileged and under-resourced communities through Relief and Development programmes.

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In Mariannridge, the organisation works hand-in-hand with Kingdom Connect Ministries.

With the recent floods, it was reported that more than 400 people have lost their lives in the province, the need to assist has grown in the area as many families were left destitute.

Other families from surrounding communities have since been placed in the community hall.

Stigling (66) fondly known as aunty Rosy depends on her pension grant to support herself and her grandchildren.

“It is hard as my health is slowly deteriorating, I am bedridden.

“My eldest granddaughter who is 19 years old is now responsible for looking out for most of our daily needs,” she said.

Aunty Rosy might have faced some challenges in her life but has not lost her sense of humour, her smile and the will to fight.

She said she was grateful for the assistance she receives from CAST as it helps them in many ways than just food parcels.

Coordinator of CAST in the area, Ralph Williams said they feed about 30 to 40 families in the area, which has risen due to the floods destroying at least 19 homes in Mariannridge alone.

He said Stigling represents the many families in the area which are in dire need.

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“To us, helping people in need is a passion, we do not just distribute donations but we spend some time with these families,” he said.

Williams who is also on the clinic committee said they also assist Stigling get her medication.

“Our food parcels last a family of four for about two weeks,” he said.

Due to the increasing need, Williams said they have families who they donate to on a monthly basis but try to help others whenever they receive extra donations.

As most organisations, CAST depends on donors and funding.

“We also assist families with clothing, so donation of clothes is always welcome,” he said.

“There are families which have lost everything due to the recent floods, we appeal to the public to continue helping us with donations of food, warm clothes and blankets. We will appreciate any help we can get,” pleaded George Mwaura, CAST’s PR and fundraising manager.

To assist, contact George on 060 540 6466 or email info@cast.org.za.

Gear up for the fundraising initiative

Get ready for the car boot sale of the year. A joint collaboration between the Highway Mail and the Church Alliance for Social Transformation (CAST) is in full swing to raise funds for charity. We have teamed up with the non-profit organisation to hold a car boot sale on Saturday, May 21. Start hauling out those items you no longer need and make some money from them. Follow us for weekly updates in the Highway Mail and on social media.

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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.

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