WHEN local resident and Our Lady of Fatima Old Girl, Kerryn Rodwell, set out to help as many families affected by the nationwide lockdown as she could, she had no idea how patients, friends, family and kind-hearted Samaritans would turn that dream into a reality.
Rodwell, a physiotherapist by profession, has set up the NPC, Rural Community Supplies South Africa, which helps deliver food and supplies to rural communities.
Through her own initiative, she has now raised R500 000 to support those who are most vulnerable in various parts across Durban which include, KwaMakutha, uMlazi, Nsimbini, Cato Crest, Mayville, Inanda and Avoca Hills to name a few.
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“In all we have provided support to more than 30 different communities with food parcel donations in different areas across the province. When I started Rural Community Supplies, I was the first to donate into the account and my intention was to help as many families as I could, but its thanks to the support of various donors including several in Durban North that we’ve been able to help so many communities,” she said.
Rodwell explained that through cash donations, both herself and volunteers would then purchase items before distributing it to those in need.
“I have two other volunteers who help pack and drive to the different areas to donate the items. Our message has always been ‘stay home and stay safe’ which is why we limit the amount of people helping donate to the community. In each of the hampers we put together we have essential items like Sunlight soap, soya mince, sugar beans, rice, toilet paper, sugar, tea and maize meal. At the end of a day’s work we feel we have made a difference although we acknowledge the inequality in the poorer communities. We sometimes meet families who have had to go days without food before the donation which is heartbreaking,” she said.
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Rodwell added she and her team would continue their work well beyond the lifting of the hard lockdown on Friday, 1 May.
If you would like to donate or help out, visit the Rural Community Supplies South Africa Facebook page for more details.
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