Take action with HACT this Mandela Day

HILLCREST AIDS Centre Trust (HACT) has invited the upper Highway community to give their 67 minutes of service in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic this Mandela Day.

HACT will host a Mandela Day Market on Saturday, 18 July from 9am to 2pm at their site -26 Old Main Road. The Woza Moya craft shop, Izingadi Zethemba Plant Nursery, Truly Grounded coffee shop, a pop-up tea garden and several other local craft providers will be in attendance. The magnificent Jacaranda tree at the front of HACT’s property will once again be ‘yarn-bombed’ to create a colour spectacular and a talking point of Hillcrest.

The funds raised will go towards income generation projects and the ongoing care of the patients in the Respite Unit through HACT’s Adopt-a-Bed campaign.

The Hillcrest-based organisation is encouraging people, families, churches and businesses to engage in the following ways on 18 July, or any day in the week leading up to Mandela Day:

• Make a donation towards the work in the Respite Unit and income generation projects. Donations can be made via HACT’s website, www.hillcrestaids.org.za, using a credit card, in person or via banking transfer (details on the website). All donations are tax-deductible and HACT is BBBEE and Section 18A-registered.

• Attend the Mandela Day Market on 18 July. Your generous shopping supports local crafters who are living with HIV to be able to put food on their tables and adhere to their treatment.

• Donate any second-hand clothing. Offer to collect clothes from your friends and family too. HACT particularly needs good quality clothing for children (toddlers to teens) and young adults (small and medium sizes), and any branded clothing. The clothes will be distributed through their clothing scheme, which provides an income for 20 families and gives their communities access to affordable clothing.

• Spring-clean your house and collect any unwanted items – furniture, toys, curtains, crockery, cutlery, kitchenware – anything! Drop it off at the centre and it will be sold in the second-hand shop to bring in an income for projects.

• Purchase canned foods or non-perishable items or toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, tissues, adult nappies, soap, moisturiser, deodorant) to donate to the feeding scheme and Respite Unit. HACT feeds 41 families with food parcels every two weeks, and their Respite Unit cares for 24 patients. If you’re super-keen to stick to the 67 theme – buy 67 items!

• Take your friends, families or colleagues to the centre to have an HIV test. It is free and takes roughly 20 minutes per person.

For more information, contact Rebekka Stredwick or Lloyd Mackenzie of the HACT marketing and fundraising team if you would like to confirm your involvement or request further information. E-mail marketing@hillaids.org.za or call 031 765 5866.