Dignity Project

We have come across a project that is not government or corporately funded, but only managed by four individual women who are passionate about helping the community in a white squatter camp near Krugersdorp. This community has been left behind. We have noticed that sadly, mainly squatter camps inhabited by people of other ethnicities are being assisted with corporate sponsorships and government assistance and these people are left to fend for themselves with no support.

On 30 September 2017 my sister, Anel Venter and two other everyday women, will personally be visiting this squatter camp that is in dire need of basic resources. They have put together a humble dignity project to gather clothes, medical supplies, food supplies and toys to make a difference in the lives of these people that basically stay in inhumane conditions. Local Government has not provided any water supply, refuse services, toilet facilities or electricity in this area that is inhabited by thousands of South Africans, among which are many small children and elderly people that are dying daily of malnutrition and untreated wounds.

Unlike corporate / government funded projects, these women will not be able to change the entire community’s situation with small contributions, but they will be able to treat one open wound, clothe at least one child and feed at least one family. Small contributions from good people add up.

Locally we have received clothes, hygiene products and medical supplies, however we are still in desperate need of funds to purchase non-perishable food items. We are asking for donations toward these purchases, from as little as R50 per donation. We have made a shopping list and the total amounts to R100,000 in food purchases to feed this particular community of almost 350 people including about 125 children and babies.

This will be phase one of the project. Ultimately we are looking at long term solutions. We are looking to allay pressure to local government to provide the basic infrastructure, water, electricity, toilet and refuse facilities. We are looking at getting knowledgable input from farmers to educate and skill these people with sustaining their own vegetable gardens. We ultimately want to help find these men and woman sustainable employment and school their children to keep them educated and able to become responsible, economically participating adults.But these plans are only of worth once it is implemented, and it is in this waiting period that this community is dying of hunger, cold and infectious wounds. This is why we are doing this campaign. Reaching out to thousands of likeminded willing individuals to assist us in reaching our goal to purchase food for these families.

We are grateful for each donor and together we can achieve great success!

Thank you,

Ilse Coetzee