North Coast Courier Orphan Fund stays the course
Since inception the fund has raised almost R9-million for community projects.
The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund has remained resilient in the face of challenges, keeping its mandate of supporting vulnerable communities on track.
In his chairman’s report at last week’s Orphan Fund annual general meeting, Pieter Naudé said R720 000 was raised during the reporting period ending in February – an increase of 3% compared to the previous year. This despite challenging economic headwinds on the back of unprecedented loadshedding and other negative factors such as higher interest rates and poor political governance which negatively impacted the supply and demand side of the fund’s operations.
“On the one hand, we have seen a tightening of donors and sponsors’ finances, and on the other an ever-increasing need for assistance as more and more vulnerable children and caregivers struggle to meet even the most basic of needs,” Naudé said.
He expressed confidence that going forward the fund’s work will show further positive growth once the changing political situation since February filters through.
The annual report indicated that the main sources of income came from events and fundraising initiatives, as well as donations from generous companies and individuals who continue to support the increasingly important work of the Orphan Fund.
Naudé said to ensure its long-term sustainability, a more conservative approach to fund allocations will be adopted from this year. The trustees opted to allocate just over R100 000 from cash reserves to meet the increasing needs of beneficiaries during the previous reporting period. While necessary at the time, rebuilding reserves is now critical to create a balance between immediate support and future stability of the fund. Since its inception in 2003, the Orphan Fund has raised and distributed goods to a value just shy of R9-million. Money raised is distributed quarterly, mostly in the form of food hamper vouchers or food parcels to orphan feeding schemes and gogo- or child-headed households.
“The fund endeavours to ensure that the money raised is put to good use and we are satisfied that each of the beneficiary groups are transparent and does a good job of caring for vulnerable children. They need financial help to achieve this. We estimate that the fund reaches upwards of 2 070 children every year,” Naudé said.
Among the NGOs who benefitted from food hamper vouchers and distribution of items are:
• Usizo and St Phillip’s HIV/Aids Ministry and Outreach in Shakaville.
• Safe Haven for Children and Elders in Lindelani.
• Nkobongo Resource Centre and St Vincent de Paul in Nkobongo.
• Practising Christian Outreach in Upper Tongaat.
• Smile with Us in Frasers.
• Siyakhula Crèche Pre School (Hangoes area and Shaka’s Head).
• Isinakekelo Group, Sinikithemba Organisation in Groutville.
• Summerhill House and Enduduzweni Drop-in Centre in Etete and Melville.
Apart from these beneficiaries, 25 gogos are also supported with monthly food parcels through Rev Ben Ndaba and Elizabeth Khumalo, while others are being supported through the All Souls Anglican Church.
Further help went to bursaries for foundation level education as well as financial help to supplement NSFAS for four tertiary education students.
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