Non-profits call for support

Non-profit organisations (NPOs) face the challenges of the 21-day lockdown.

Sandton-based organisations, the Friends of Sandspuit, Rays of Hope and Reach For A Dream, have called on the community to make any donations that will allow them to continue supporting those in need.

The Friends of Sandspruit is a group which has been mandated by Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo to clean and maintain the Ernest Ullmann Park as well as the riverbank walkway to South Road in Morningside.

“We certainly need community involvement with this lockdown looming – all NPOs are going to suffer and people need to keep their chosen charity uppermost in their minds and hearts right now,” said Alex Parkins, chairperson of the Friends of Sandspruit.

She added that while many people take the park for granted it is an essential element of the community. “When the lockdown period is over people will be only too gladly flock to open areas and enjoy the fresh air again – we want our team to be ready and waiting too.”

Focusing on the community on the other end of the motorway is the Rays of Hope Foundation who has partnered with the community of Alexandra for over 29 years. “We operate by building long-term relationships and have a team of people who work on the ground impacting the lives of the less fortunate and most impoverished and therefore vulnerable,” said the foundation’s marketing assistant Thando Duma.

According to Duma, it can be challenging for people in Alexandra to self-isolate or socially distance themselves as many of the areas are over-crowded and under-resourced. The foundation has thus launched the Hope 4 Alex initiative which aims to create food hampers for 1 000 families.

“While isolation is very difficult and medical facilities are limited, by providing non-perishable food, basic medicines, soap and sanitisers, we will be able to reduce the need for infected people to go shopping for food and travel to doctors except in severe cases, while also enabling improved cleanliness and hygiene.”

In an effort to make sure that the dreams of children do come true after the national lockdown, the Reach For A Dream Foundation has fully mobilised all operations.

“With the current health concerns, Reach For A Dream has had to act swiftly to ensure the safety of all the medically vulnerable children, hospital staff and employees involved,” said the group’s marketing manager Roxanne Manuel.

She added that the group will continue to follow the lead of the Department of Health as it remains committed to finding new and innovative ways to deliver hope and joy to the thousands of children affected by life-threatening illness across the country.

“All activities will certainly resume as soon as possible, but in the meantime, the foundation will explore new ways to provide support for the children and their families during this difficult time,” Manuel said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that donations can be directed through the national channel, the Solidarity Response Fund, which will ultimately help the public sector aid those in need. The fund will operate a call centre for donors, between 8am and 6pm, on 0860 001 001 and can be emailed on info@responsefund.co.za

Those interested in making specific donations to the organisations can contact the relevant person or visit the websites below:

• Friends of Sandspruit: Alex Parkins info@sandspruit.org
• Rays of Hope: www.raysofhope.co.za/donate-now
• Reach For A Dream: https://reachforadream.org.za/donate/

Related article

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/251870/locals-socialise-at-rays-of-hope-fundraiser/