The after-effects of Cyclone Idai, which had devastating consequences on a large part of Mozambique and some parts of Zimbabwe, are still felt today. A community initiative in Harare for the victims inspired Caroline Kaschula, a local Parkview resident, to join hands with the local community and various individuals to assist with donations.
Kaschula, the SA coordinator for Miracle Missions, had the support of St Francis of Assisi Anglican Church in Parkview, the Islamic Women’s Community, Wits in Parktown, Roedean School, Parkwood Gym and various locals.
Kaschula said this was the first time she had assisted with disaster relief. Shortly after the incident, walking on a beach in Mauritius, she found two red gloves washed up on shore. “It was a strange thing to find on the beach but it was like a message that two are needed in life – two hands, two feet and partnership is about two coming together. An agreement is two hands – shaken in the old days.”
She added that the inspiration ‘two hands is all we need’, with the guidance of various people, gave her the opportunity to go on air on one of the local radio stations and share the heartfelt desire for communities in the Gauteng area to come together with what they had.
“Hands came together, sorting packing and funding the transport of food, clothes, shoes, water purification and kitchenware for victims in the disaster areas. The Parkview and surrounding Joburg community sent some 300 to 400 bags of clothing and bedding alone,” Kaschula said.
She said they are currently looking to house further donations in a 20-foot container in Craighall Park as the need is still there and support in cash or kind or in simply giving time to sort the donations is still being received.
Kaschula said that although this was the largest disaster in the history of the African Continent, with devastating effects, to see people coming together in this way was simply amazing.
“There are so many people to thank and we would like to extend the utmost gratitude to everyone who supported this initiative. Thank you for your generosity and we hope this will go beyond one truck of donations. Heartfelt thanks from those that are not able to say thank you.”
Details: Miracle Missions www.miraclemission.org.za or email info@miraclemission.org.za
Are you running any charity drives in the community? Send details of your project to naidines@caxton.co.za
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