Nicola collects dignity packs for the homeless

ST Benedict learner, Nicola Siepman, who recently started Mpho’s Campaign to distribute dignity packs to the needy, gave away 117 packs to underprivileged people at Christ Church in Pinetown.

Nicola’s project idea was initiated when she was chosen to participate in a leadership forum in Johannesburg called the ENKE leadership programme.

“In the forum we learnt leadership skills and were afforded the opportunity to develop a Community Action Project (CAP).”

Nicola said they had to identify a problem in their community and had to develop a project that would target and alleviate that problem.

“The broad problem that I identified was poverty and famine. In the eThekwini area specifically, we have a large number of homeless people. Although I cannot alleviate their poverty, I do wish to help them regain their dignity,” said Nicola.

In the packs there were toilet rolls, toothbrushes and toothpaste, towels, soaps, sanitary products (for women packs).

Nicola, a Grade 11 learner, said she chose to distribute the packs at the church as that is where homeless people gather to eat dinner which is provided by Heaven’s Kitchen.

Heaven’s Kitchen was started by Sarnia resident, Kayleigh Symes in 2014 to feed the underprivileged in the Pinetown area.

Symes works with a group of volunteers, family, friends and depend on people’s donation.

Nicola said the name of the campaign was inspired by other learners during the forum.

“I was given the nickname of Mpho which means ‘Gift’ and this translation sparked an idea for my project. My aim is to distribute 1000 dignity packs to the homeless people and I will be working with existing organisations and that will allow for easy access and distribution to the people.”

Nicola has been approaching various companies to support her and she thanked everyone who helped her and donated items for the packs.

“Department of Health gave me men and women preventatives, Jess Ford Foundation donated the sanitary towels. My biggest sponsor was the Outriders Social Dirtbike Club, they bought R 2 000 worth of items for the dignity bags.”

Nicola added that she would like to thank Heaven’s Kitchen for allowing her to distribute these packs.

“I wish them all the best in the wonderful job that they do in feeding the homeless.”