SOME would describe her as a modern day St Mother Teresa but Philicia Harrison (67), thinks only of herself as an ordinary gran with a great love of giving back to the less fortunate.
The Montclair resident spends every waking moment and sometimes dreams of how she can improve the lives of others.
Nearly her whole life she involved herself in charity work, sacrificing her time to make the world a better place. Orphaned at a young age, Philicia was raised by nuns who taught her humility, charity and selflessness. “I remember telling them I wanted to become a nun but because I had a love for children, this could not happen. But I gained good memories and knowledge from them so I paid it forward in my work,” said Harrison.
I’m doing this on my own and I would love if I could get support from the community
This woman who doesn’t have much but can offer the world, dreams of one day building dormitories with libraries, sports facilities and gardens for those who need a home. “Once you start giving, you can never stop. I just want to uplift the community, especially the youth. Her love for charity plays a hand in her other passion of crochet, where she spends hours creating items such as hats, baby clothing, socks and blankets. “I don’t sell anything, I feel it’s more rewarding to give my creations to the less fortunate,” she said.
On a recent trip, Philicia was sitting in a hotel foyer doing crochet work when a curious local came up to her and asked what she was doing. They spoke for a while when the woman mentioned that she taught at a local high school which is in a deep rural area in Creighton, KZN . “She told me it was a very poor area and most of the parents rely on social grants and many of the high school girls are also falling pregnant to gain grants. My heart bled for these children and I vowed to create hampers which I hope to fill with items that bring joy to these children,” she said.
At the moment, she is crocheting ponchos and hats for the children and made bags which she will fill up and take to the school. “I’m doing this on my own and I would love if I could get support from the community. Maybe they can donate colouring book, crayons and toys for the children or sanitary towels for the young girls. Anything will do. Even if it’s torn or broken, I will fix it. Your junk is useful to me,” she added.
You don’t need to be rich to be charitable. Too many people throw away stuff that can be re-used. Nothing is rubbish to me
She hopes that one day people will look at what she is doing and be inspired. “You don’t need to be rich to be charitable. Too many people throw away stuff that can be re-used. Nothing is rubbish to me. What is wrong with this world is we are too selfish, we take life for granted. If you could feel what I feel when giving back, it will give you chills. Be the light in others and radiate goodness and hope into the hopeless,” said Philicia.
To help Philicia, donate anything from wool, toys and old material. For more information contact Southlands Sun offices on 031-903-2341.
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