How learners can accumulate community service hours during Covid-19

Are you a learner needing to complete community service hours or would you just like to help those in need?

It has been tough for NPOs and organisations in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. While many places are not accepting physical volunteers, there are still ways you can help the community.

Organisations such as Community Hours SA, are wonderful platforms to safely register – with your parent’s consent needed – to find a project that suits you. Whether you want to work with animals or are looking more at home crafts, they have a project for you. Visit them at www.communityhourssa.co.za

In the meantime, here are a few local projects you can support:

Norwood
NOAH CAN: If you want to help the less fortunate, please consider donating some blankets which will be distributed ahead of what is expected to be a bitterly cold winter.

• Two new or used blankets = 1 hour
• Contact: Emily 072 236 2712.

NOAH CAN: Help the team feed hungry members of the community with food parcels

• Two tins of fish, three tins of beans, 1 one-litre long-life milk, one-litre oil, 2kg maize meal and a note to the recipient
• 1 parcel = 1 hour
• Contact: Emily 072 236 2712.

Wendywood
Wendywood CAN: Are you a keen knitter? Why not make home-made knitted blankets for the community members that could really use the warmth?

• 1 blanket = 1 hour
• Contact: Sharon Lefkowitz 082 553 1708.

Linbro
Matsea 7 Equestrian Facility: There’s no horsing around here. The primary goal at Matsea 7 Equine Facilities is to provide a safe and well-rounded environment for children and adults to foster a love for horses and the great outdoors.

• 1 hour = 1 hour
• Contact: info@matsea7.co.za

Bezuidenhout Park
Siyakhana Food Garden: The Siyakhana Food Garden, is their flagship project, and is regarded as one of the most successful urban food gardens in the wider Johannesburg metropole, as well as a hallmark of intersectoral collaboration.

• 1 hour = 1 hour
• Contact: Evans Muchesa evans@siyakhana.org or 074 516 7575.

Northriding
Randburg SPCA: Help the staff at the SPCA take care of animals in need. Don’t think this will be just a time to cuddle the cute pets – expect hard work. Only two volunteers are allowed per day. Booking is essential.

• 1 hour = 1 hour
• Contact: Craig Rudman gm@spca-rbg.org.za

Randburg:
Doodle Your Future: Help orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa by writing, doodling and sharing SA good news storybooks. The team is desperately in need of a creative, positive and inspiring young person who can design posts and run them on their Instagram and Facebook page weekly.

• 1 hour = 1 hour
• Contact: www.doodleyourfuture.org

Randburg:
Johannesburg Dream Center: Why not create workbooks for underprivileged children? Are you a maths or English boffin? Use those creative skills to compile mini workbooks for children to help them – includes worksheets, stickers and answer sheets in a plastic sleeve. You could do ABC workbooks and Words can be fun books.

• 1 pack = 1 hour
•  Contact: info@johannesburgdreamcenter.org

Joburg North
Summerfield Retirement Village and other retirement homes: Are you a skilled baker? Why not bake a delicious cake or some soft cookies for the residents of local retirement homes. Who doesn’t love a sweet treat made with love? Include a loving note for that extra special touch.

• 1 cake = 1 hour
• Contact: 011 686 2000.

Malanshof:
NOSH Food Rescue: The organisation needs help with mundane and everyday tasks as well as ongoing developmental and administrative functions. Food is always coming in and needing to be sorted and processed. You can drop them a mail, or you could engage with them on one of their platforms such as CommunityHoursSA.

• Contact: info@noshfoodrescue.co.za