Help City reach its target for #Nappies4Dignity
JOHANNESBURG – Joburg Water aims to collect one million nappies by the end of July to be donated to old age homes and hospice facilities in the city.
Johannesburg Water has extended its drive to collect one million adult nappies for the elderly and terminally-ill members of the community to the end of July.
The #Nappies4Dignity campaign was launched during National Sanitation Week, an initiative driven by the National Department of Water and Sanitation, municipalities and water utilities throughout the country to raise the profile on water and sanitation issues. The week was observed between 16 and 20 May.
Speaking about this initiative, Johannesburg Water managing director, Lungile Dhlamini said, “It is about dignity. Imagine your elderly loved one not having full control over their excretory functions. Think of the embarrassment when she or he soils their clothes, having to offer an excuse to children or grandchildren.
“For the sake of their dignity, most people will not say a word when they are in a sanitary compromised situation.”
According to Dhlamini, care facilities such as old age homes, hospices and home-based care organisations do try to supply nappies to those who cannot afford it. “It is the observed indignity of them having to go without adult nappies for even a day that has motivated Johannesburg Water to start this campaign.”
The nappies collected will be distributed to old age homes, hospices and home-based care organisations in various parts of the city at the end of the campaign. All Johannesburg Water depots and selected shopping malls serve as drop-off points for the nappies, and community members and encouraged to donate.
Johannesburg Water has identified the following frail care facilities as beneficiaries: Andries Meyer in Eldorado Park; Frederic Place in Coronationville; Evalon House in Jeppestown; Nazareth House in Yeoville; Tswelopele Frail Centre in the Johannesburg inner city; Banakekeleni Hospice in Alexandra; Ahanang Parish Based Care, and Mamohau Motshehetsi Care Support, both in Soweto; Chinese Old Aged Home in Belgravia; Jafta Village in Johannesburg South; and Florama Old Aged Home in Roodepoort.
The water utilty is not appealing for cash and only requires nappies. They are warning the public not to be duped by criminal schemes that could try to piggyback this noble cause. No official from Johannesburg Water or the City of Johannesburg has been mandated to raise funds for this campaign. People are urged to report any suspicious or corrupt activity that may derail this process on the City of Johannesburg’s anti-fraud hotline number.
Details: 0800 002 587.
