Small donations can make the biggest difference
Dorcas Aid South Africa is one of these NPOs that spend all of the time they can trying to better the lives of those who live with next to nothing.
The vast majority of people struggle with their finances, are worried about food or rent, but still have homes and a stable income.
Many people are living day to day on small wages, with little to no help. This is why it is essential to have non-profit organisations (NPOs) and charities that spend their time trying to make the lives of others just a little bit easier, and help where others can’t.
Dorcas Aid South Africa is one of these NPOs that spend all the time they can trying to better the lives of those who live with next to nothing. Based in Florida, Dorcas Aid SA works throughout the West Rand, using socioeconomic development (SED), and methods of welfare and social care to help those who are struggling to get by, or just want someone to give them a second chance at succeeding.
“We live by the proverb, ‘Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime,’” said Lionel Cohen, director of operations for the charity.
To do this, Dorcas Aid offers computer training programmes to help develop business skills and computer literacy, but that is not all they do. To help those with nothing, the foundation also has several community and charity projects.
They run a soup kitchen that feeds approximately 130 people on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; they run a garden project to teach people to establish food gardens in old age homes or their communities; they have a charity shop to help with fundraising; they have a laundry facility where people can wash their clothes for free; and they donate food to other charitable organisations feeding the destitute.
All of the donations of food, clothing, furniture or household items that they receive are donated to community members of other charitable organisations.
“You need to have the right heart to do this job, and you must believe in what you are doing and that your organisation is making a difference in someone’s life,” Lionel continued. “Community members want to help, they just don’t know where to go.”
Lionel said they apply their Christian beliefs as motivation to do their work. “This is a humanitarian issue and we need to stand together to help each other,” Lionel concluded.
The organisation isn’t asking for much, but like all other NPOs, they need financial donations, and are asking for help with their Covid-19 Support Packs. They need hygiene products, sanitizers, food and blankets for the community members who desperately need them.
As the offices are closed for lockdown, Lionel can be contacted on his cellphone or by email with any queries, or to find out how to donate to the organisation. Contact Lionel on 073 315 2112 or l.cohen@dorcas.co.za.
