Woman’s bid to help the needy
Magriet Otto Sloan encourages the public to plant vegetables, bake, or use skills to generate extra income.
Magriet Otto Sloan of Sea Park is not only helping communities in need with food parcels, but she also teaches them how to grow their own food.
Sloan explained that she works under the Independence Commission Africa (ICA), a registered organisation founded by Memory Grace in 2013.
She said ICA’s mission is to address the overwhelming need for assistance in communities where many are struggling, and few are helping.
She added that they work in four different areas. Hibberdene, Sunwich Port to Southport, Sea Park to Umtentweni, and Uvongo to Manaba, each managed by a different volunteer.
“The organisation has been working tirelessly to provide support to struggling families and individuals. It focuses on assisting single Sassa pensioners who do not own property, single parents with small children and an income of less than R5 000, and families where the breadwinner has lost their job for at least three months. To ensure efficient distribution, all beneficiaries must be within walking distance of the distributors,” she said.
Sloan said the organisation solely relies on the public and small businesses for donations.
She said they need donations of essential items such as soya, maize, flour, oil, sugar, tea, powdered milk, tinned goods, rice, pasta, soup, spices, and porridge.
She added that they also need fresh produce such as potatoes, onions, carrots, tomatoes and other vegetables, plus things like toilet paper, bath soap, toothpaste, and roll-on deodorant.
Sloan said her vision for ICA extends beyond providing essential goods for survival.
“I aim to help families become self-sustaining. I do this by encouraging them to plant vegetables, bake, or use their skills to generate extra income. Through the efforts of ICA and its dedicated volunteers, struggling families in these South African coastal communities are finding hope and support in challenging times. I believe with our communities’ help, we can go far. There is power in collective action to make a lasting difference in people’s lives,” said Sloan.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
