Lockdown impacts The Domino Foundation’s volunteer programme

WHEN the nationwide lockdown (and the subsequent extension) was announced by president, Cyril Ramaphosa, some organisations that rely on the help and kindness of volunteers were hardest hit. This included Durban North based NPO, The Domino Foundation, which has closed its doors to all volunteers for the duration of the lockdown.

Marketing manager of the foundation, Karen Brokensha, explained how the lockdown has impacted them.

“We can’t put a price on how invaluable our volunteers are to all our programmes which touch almost 12 000 lives every day. The help from volunteers allows us to plan our programme schedules and activities effectively, but the Covid-19 has put a temporary stop to that,” she explained.

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For now, the making of sandwiches which make up part of Domino’s Feeding programme, which delivers 4500 daily to schools and ECD centres in North Durban, the city itself and in the South Basin, is also on hold.

“We also had to cancel our school holiday Community Service weeks where teenagers from schools around the city would normally have had the chance to engage with Domino’s impacting the lives of disadvantaged and marginalised members of the community. These times often are the spark which ignites a passion to do more and to offer to volunteer.”

Brokensha said she will be waiting to hear from all the faithful members of the volunteers ‘brigade’ once the lockdown is over and from prospective new volunteers.

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“If anything, the needs will be even greater then, this time is affecting vulnerable people severely and we will need more willing hands and hearts,” she said.

If you would like to get involved and help out, email: marketing@domino.org.za.

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