Not-for-gain company 1in1out delivered provisions with a message to residents of Zandspruit on 21 June.
As part of its Winter Warm-up outreach, the public benefit organisation, based in Malanshof, gave hot meals to anyone who asked – a blanket and about 12 items of clothing to each adult, and jerseys and toys to children.
But it also held a discussion with people about the “squatter camp mentality”.
The organisation’s CEO, Stephen Thomas, explains this.
“Many people feel that the government and country owe them,” he said.
“They don’t want to do something for themselves and, especially, the men are content.”
He said that people needed an attitude change to learn to do something before receiving something.
This is why the organisation usually exchanges food and clothing for rubbish collected.
Thomas said that during the outreach people sang and danced with joy to gospel music.
He thanked the sponsors of the event – Pep Stores, Kira Valves and Engineering, Rhema Hands of Compassion and Robertsham Home Fellowship.
“We thank God for the concerned residents of Randburg and churches that try to be part of the solution to high poverty,” he added.
Toward the end of the year, 1in1out will provide job skills training, but people have to pay to participate.
Details: 1in1out 011 793 1917; stephen.thomas@1in1out.org.za
