Rebuilding communities and alleviating poverty

The Meadowlands sub committee gathered at the AME church in Zone 7 where they addressed issues that are affecting the community at large and how they could resolve, identify and deal with them at large.

They were joined by Thabiso Mazibuko from the South African National Council on Alcoholism (SANCA).

SANCA offers specialised training and educational programmes and resources relating to prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
They also provide treatment for alcohol and other drug dependents and their families.

SANCA works with various NGOs and also helps with referrals. Their work is based on the belief that dealing with addiction starts with admitting there is a problem and help is needed.

The group also discussed how they are going to build an effective social development base and decrease poverty. This topic was facilitated by Rev Thomas Mpye

“We need to first know what we are dealing with because poverty leads people to different directions and decisions been made based on their lives,” said Mpye

“Poverty is a condition that causes a decline in a physical health and also it’s an inability to share the human social activities which lead to starvation we have two types of poverty; absolute and relative.

“Absolute it’s when people don’t have enough economic capacities, can’t partake in any other activities and be rejected in the community.

“Relative poverty- when a person has enough economic capacities to provide food, clothing, shelter, security and medical care and that person is able to take part in community activities.”

Poverty impacts negatively and violates individuals human dignity leaving one feeling less important and poorer one should understand when he tries giving those less fortunate something and they refuse they feel embarrassed.

People don’t want to be identified and refuse to be called poorer they try to hide their poverty to avoid shame and humiliation some refuse to take up available help so they can maintain their independence.

“Poverty destroys and harms families and also their interpersonal relationships.

“We all know that communities are built by families.
“We need to show them how to fish so that tomorrow they can do it for themselves. We can start small two/three houses,” said Sello.

“From his own experience, he has worked well with drug addicts because it was easy to follow- up after they have recovered.

“What kills them is they have ample time, lazing around doing nothing and that way it is easy to fall back into drugs so they would like to acquire some skills,” said Khotso Kone

“136 youth got assistance from NGOs and the councillor’s office since there were a lot of unemployed graduated youth so they got scholarships.

“We should know that Rome wasn’t built in a day, so slowly but surely we will get there and we are willing to help our youth not everyone will go to College or University but the skills they get trained for would benefit them and make a difference in their lives,” said Tshabalala.

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