Story
This Christmas, help us to give the gift of food to vulnerable families living in poverty in the Masoyi region of South Africa.
The burden of coronavirus in South Africa is being shouldered by the nation's poorest communities. Covid-19 is further exacerbating poverty and inequality in the country. Many individuals are involved in informal work which relies on functioning economies to survive. As the economy suffers, the poorest are unable to get work, and are being further pushed into poverty - lacking basic necessities such as food.
Food is not just a basic core need. Ensuring that children are well-fed is vital to achieving and maintaining good health. Regular meals are essential to those on ARV [anti retro-viral] medication as it helps them to stay healthy and slow down the progression of HIV/AIDS. Access to food can increase school enrolment, as children are no longer anxious over where their next meal will come from and this access to education significantly improves their chances of paving a path out of poverty.
A recent story from Masoyi :
There are three siblings; the oldest, San. Vil. is 23 years old, but is not in college or working. Gle. is 14 years old, and Nol. is 9. Their parents both passed away in 2013. When their parents died, they lived at their grandparents home. Their aunts and uncles were also living in their grandparents house. Life became difficult for the siblings as they started to be mistreated by their aunts and uncles. One of their neighbours noticed, and removed them from the house. She gave them her house, where they now live, as she lives in another home with her husband. The siblings survive on a mere R430pm [about £21pm] child social grant which Nok. receives, whilst Gle. Is being supported to register in the social grant scheme. The children are in desperate need of further support to support San Vil to care for his siblings.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Over the next 12 days we are launching our Christmas Giving Campaign, "THE 12 SLEIGHS OF CHRISTMAS". Each day we want to raise £240 to fill Santa's sleigh with enough food to feed a family for a year. 12 full sleighs = 12 families fed for a year.
A food parcel for a month £20
Feed a family for a year £240
Example food prices for some items:
12.5kg of mealie meal £3.35
1kg of sugar beans £1.20
500g of macaroni £0.55
200g of mince beef £2.40
1kg of brown sugar £0.67
Plus tinned baked beans, tomatoes, chilli; teabags; cooking oil; soap; matches
12 DAYS OF ADVENT GIVING:
Why not donate on behalf of someone else and give a Christmas gift that will make a meaningful difference?
Heard of a reverse advent calendar? Open the door to giving this advent and make lasting change to someone's life.
Have everything you need this Christmas? Why not ask others to donate on your behalf.
As a thank you:
When you make a donation, we are offering a personalised email that you can print and give to your chosen recipient or forward on by email. If you would like to do this, please send the details to masoyi12sleighsofchristmas@gmail.com
Should we exceed the £2,880 target, the Trustees retain the right to decide at their absolute discretion how the excess should be applied, whether to fund more families, support our existing programmes, or any other legitimate need of which they become aware.