#food drive ( give a helping hand)

My name is Bradley Human I come from Highbury, Kuils River, Cape Town, that is situated in the Western Cape. I'm a part-time student at UWC (University of the Western Cape) studying Business Management and working full time as a chef. Me and my partner Lorinda Davids who is also studying via correspondence at UNISA (University of South Africa) have been supporting students of UWC but as we are studying ourselves we are limited with the resources and finance needed to help them properly. The beneficiary for this campaign will be the students that doesn't have any sort of financial support, backing from the institution or from family. Many of these students' requests are for travel fare, groceries, books and clothing. However, every now and then we receive a request for assistance with a larger expense, such as a laptop screen repair or a fridge. They simply cannot afford to let their groceries spoil which can happen within a day during the hot summer months but they can't afford the taxi fare of daily trips to Bellville for fresh groceries either. This fund will be in support of UWC students, but who are otherwise hampered by the practical constraints of normal day to day life.

The reason I am doing this is two-folded: First, I am in need of prayer support for this endeavor. Without God’s grace and empowerment, our efforts will be in vain. Second, I am in need of financial support for this campaign to take care of expenses associated with this endeavor. If you are willing to contribute even a small amount, it will be a welcomed blessing. Whether you cannot contribute financially, any form of support will be a tremendous source of help as some of these students don't even have suitable living conditions nor the means to even get to campus.

We do have a specific end date for this campaign as this not only a temporary solution, but the need for the necessities during this winter is huge. The funds raised or any form of donation will be used for buying blankets, groceries, repairs of laptops, toiletries etc.

We have approached numerous students and most are in support of this campaign as they feel let down by the University and the SRC. We asked some of them what would such a campaign mean to them, and they all said that it will be a tremendous help as the institution really doesn't seem to care where they will sleep or even get food. I received countless messages from students asking and begging for help.

We have managed to get canned food and small parcels of toiletries for the students.

One was kind enough to give his credentials as he is a student tutor and a student representative council member that works daily with the students and has the necessary means of contact with them. He has has approached lectures and we are still awaiting for his response whether they will participate or not.

The network of people that are supporting us is mainly friends and family members who already generously gave food, clothing, blankets and other forms of support outside the crowdfunding platform. We managed to raise R 500.00 to which we already used for blankets as we had a student who didn't even have a decent blanket as winter was fast approaching.

I have approached my place of employment but they are unwilling to show support hence why me and my partners has taken this upon ourselves. We took even a further step as to go to the Student Representatives Council which was already in talks with the University for a proposed food program and the logistics of this seems to be at a stalemate.

The student representative is Raymond Hoffmeeseter ([email protected])

The money will be managed by myself, my partner and the student representative who will have access to the funds as he is indirect contact with the students as he will be the go to person. The money raised will be used as follows:

Food parcels
Blankets
Toiletries (male and female)
Transportation costs

These are just some of the messages we received from students:

"Hi, my name is Athandile Jizani and I need help regarding the food parcels and toiletry because we are suffering, there is no one working at home and I don't receive any bursary and am struggling with money for taxi fare in order to travel to school. I really need help and, I don't know what to do or where to go"

"I hope this message finds you well. I'm a 4th student at the University of the Western Cape, currently majoring in Psychology, Women and Gender studies and History. My aim it's to finish my degree and give back to my poor community that I grew up in (Nyanga East). My heart is so broken due to yesterday around 3 am I received a break in, as a result I lost my laptop and these guys then took my phone that have all my information and some of my clothes, now I don't have jackets to wear in this winter. I live at campus but since now schools are close, I went to stay with relatives at Nyanga East for this holiday and this is where the incident happened. It is said that these people who do these break in they use Muti known as witchcraft to make everyone fall asleep and then they take everything in the house. Why me, what have I done to deserve this, I sometimes wish my parents were still alive more especially on this tough time. This robbery it's stressing me because I don't know what to do and how will I cope without my laptop and phone more especially on my last year. I have a friend that sells his old tab at the price of R 700 and I told him I'm interested and promised to give me a discount of R100. So the tablet will cost R600 now. Any help will be much appreciated, from the bottom of my heart please I cry for help."

Any form of support will be a tremendous source of help as me and my partners is doing all that we can. Please consider dramatically improving a student's life with a contribution. If you want to email me directly and jump on board and try an help my email address is [email protected] . On behalf of myself and the students I would like to thank you for kindly sponsoring this endeavor. We truly appreciate your support and your very generous donation, your contribution will dramatically help us develop and succeed in future endeavours.