Voucher programme to help the poor and homeless

The Randburg community – who want to help the homeless from the kindness of their hearts – will find it much easier to do so.

This comes after the Johannesburg Organisation of Services to the Homeless (Josh) launched its new voucher programme for the poor and homeless.

The idea behind the voucher programme is to avoid giving money to the homeless who then buy alcohol or drugs.

The voucher can be bought at any Engen Garage or Pick n Pay stores in Randburg and each voucher will cost R10 while a booklet of five vouchers will cost R40.

Josh’s finance and business manager, Areeka Chotoo has been working hard to ensure that the voucher programme launches without a hitch.

“You can then give the voucher to someone who is poor and homeless and who really needs it. One voucher entitles a person to either a meal, a set of clothing or a hygiene pack,” said Chotoo.

“A voucher can be redeemed at the Randburg Methodist Church, Ferndale Bible Church or Christ Church of Blairgowrie. Each voucher will have a serial number, maps of where it can be redeemed, times the churches operate and what the voucher can be redeemed for.”

The serial number will allow Josh to track the vouchers’ footprint and allow them to understand where it was sold and what it was redeemed for so they can have a broader understanding of the needs of the homeless and poor.

Although the three churches have signed up to assist Josh in their programmes, Chotoo stressed that the organisation is not secular and no one is forced to join a particular faith.

“At this moment in the project, the churches have been willing to partner with us but we as Josh are open to people of all faiths.

“We are in the process of trying to formulate a good and nutritious soup recipe but we cannot control what the other churches will serve. We are only partnering with them so the soup will be their responsibility for now,” said Chotoo.

This year, besides launching the voucher programme, Josh plans to have its own shelter and skills centre, but before they get there, they have to ensure the success of the voucher programme that will pave the way forward.

“We want to become sustainable and expand the programmes that we offer, do more outreach programmes and find those in need where they are,” said Chotoo.

“The voucher will enable us to create a database so we can better understand who our homeless are and how we can help them get back on their feet. Josh is not there to work for the homeless but to work with them.”

ALSO READ: Josh wants to change your mindset toward the homeless