Looking for something meaningful to do during Lockdown? Perhaps this story will inspire you. There are many local initiatives to support.
Wheelbarrows Laden with Love and Good Food
Pregnant mothers in Shiyabazali could not believe their eyes when care worker, Theresa Shano arrived with her wheelbarrow bearing fresh vegetables to assist them during lockdown this weekend.
Shiyabazali is an informal settlement above Howick Falls that lacks services of any kind, with the women here famously doing their laundry in the rock pools above the 97m high falls.
This community is very vulnerable, with many relying on casual daily labour for income. Lockdown is, of course, disastrous.
African Spirit, on the other side of Howick Falls, run by Judy Smit and Teddy Masopha, does its best to assist this community. They offer a feeding programme, where anyone who arrives at the door is invited to sit at their table, serving at least 100 children every week.
As lockdown descended, Howick residents concerned about the plight of this community, sprang into action. Touchwood Veggies, a popular local grocer, was offering to deliver veg boxes to homes during this time. So, it made perfect sense to sponsor a veg box (R100) for delivery to those in need at the same time. The system was simple, order a box (or two) from Cayleigh Holgate at Touchwood, pay by eft and Cayleigh, who has a permit to deliver food during lockdown, would get the food to African Spirit for distribution. Touchwood grow a lot of their produce on a farm nearby, and sources produce from other local growers as well, so not only are donors feeding hungry folk, but also assisting a small business to keep going during and making sure that local farmers are able to sell their produce.
African Spirit can continue doing what they do best – reaching out, showing love and care to this community and using the connections they have made over many years to ensure that those who need it the most receive assistance.
It provides a simple way for residents of Howick to assist in getting good, fresh, nutritious food to vulnerable people.
The idea caught on like wildfire and thousands of rands of veggies were ordered within a couple of days. Crates, bags and boxes of cabbages, carrots, butternuts, potatoes, tomatoes, apples, brinjals, marrows, onions and peppers were delivered on the first Friday for African Spirit volunteers, wearing masks and gloves and keeping good distances, to sort and distribute. “Our caregivers know which families need it the most,” said Judy. “It has been a pleasure to be able to send such delicious, healthy food out knowing that everyone will be sharing with their neighbours, eating well for a couple of days and building their strength.”
Teddy added, “The Howick community has pulled together brilliantly. We would like to thank everyone who has done something to light up someone’s life during these difficult times. We had someone deliver lots of lovely handmade masks, another brought us two loaves of bread, someone baked biscuits, our favourite dance teacher dropped off many kilos of maize meal and a farmer delivered bags of organic meaty bones. Every contribution makes a difference.”
As laden wheelbarrows trundled across the bridge to Shiyas and along the road from kwaMevana, tired volunteers chatted about how strange it had been not to embrace everyone as they usually would, how this unusual situation was highlighting just what a perilous state so many people live in, and marvelling at the generosity of strangers.
As expected, recipients were very grateful.
“You are saving lives with this food,” community worker Zama Mncube enthused, “you have done such a good job. I love you so much.”
Will you be contributing to filling another barrow next week? Send Cayleigh Holgate (083 321 9181 a message ordering one (or more) veg boxes at R100 for the Shiyas programme, then pay by eft with Shiyas and your name as the reference. Repeat this next week as well, and the next…
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