FUNDRAISER TO ASSIST ASHLEY VILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR QUADRIPLEGICS

	ASHLEY VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Ashley Village Community Development Centre

Registered NPO: 078-202 NPO

Telephonic Contact: Goodman Mabele 084 299 3074 (Ashley Village Chairman)

Liaison Volunteer Contact: Judy Charls 083 777 8789

January 2021

FOR YOUR KIND CONSIDERATION

This is an introduction to outline a serious situation at Ashley Village. A Self-help centre and residential accommodation for Quadriplegics & Paraplegics

Ashley Village was established in 1971 and for many years was funded by lottery and private trust funds, with the support of the Quad Para Association of KZN. As of June2020, Ashley Village registered their own NPO, making us an independent entity.

For many months we have being making an effort to fend for ourselves, but during Covid lockdown we lost all our volunteer assistance and donor monies.

We intend to publicise our plight and invite the public to become involved in whatever way they can, to help in this urgent appeal for critical assistance for our vital Self-Help Centre.Any donation or helping hand will be much appreciated and a big encouragement.

Without Ashley Village our 10 Quad and Para residents would be in dire positions, as there is nowhere else for them to go; the food and care we have at present is scarce and insufficient. We desperately need help.

A short introduction to the Residence and staff:

5 Quadriplegics

5 Paraplegics

Namely: Goodman Mabele (Chairperson) and David Strachan - both long term residents, Sthembiso Ngema, Derrick Khuzwayo, Griffith Mnikathi, Elliot Mfeka and recently three young residents Dumsani Langa and Khosibonile Chiliza, Hugh Brookes and Thulani Zulu

Caregivers: Bheksi Ngcobo & Margaret Mbili: Shift 1; Zama Xaba & Nono Ngwenya: Shift 2

There is ample space to increase the number of residents. In the past it was a thriving community and it still has well-equipped wheel-chair cottages situated on a secure plot.It was supported by donor monies, building upkeep and equipment.

However now, with very limited resources and outside interest, it’s state of general maintenance and repair is dismal.Quite frankly the resident’s meals are insufficient and there is an air of despair. Further, due to the lack of funding or outside involvement there are no uplifting programs or social gatherings, life is insecure and isolated.

Some assistance is being given but it is far from sufficient and the needs are desperate.The following help has been received:

• Woolworths give vegetable and pasta etc weekly which a local Ashley resident volunteers to collects every Sunday
• There has been some assistance to try and keep the garden area in reasonable shape by various people but a fulltime gardener is needed.The residents are not able to sweep the grounds or take bins out for Rubbish Collection day.
• The Ashley Neighbourhood Watch are vigilant and helpful
• Blue Security responds to calls for assistance

We are grateful to those who have responded to our situation, but substantial and fundamental help is needed to seriously address the situation.

As residents we endeavour to do our best; we have disability grants and also some have learnership jobs. However, rent consumes a large portion of this income. We use Uber taxi service to transport representatives to mall centres to try to raise some funds, yet return with little, as the cost of transport diminishes any donations received.

In the past this was a thriving Centre but the situation presently in a very serious state.

Currently we battle with 4 caregivers who do not have sufficient training to assist with bed sores and general health issues; but are essential to move residents, cook, clean and serve us.Due to the lack of funds these care-workers work in pairs on 4 day shifts (they reside on the property during shift work to offset the meagre wages that the Centre can afford).

Ashley Village is independent but lease the premises of Quadriplegic Association of KZN, to whom we pay rent for accommodation per person, and there is the offer of the Quad transport but it is too expensive to use regularly at a cost of R10 per km, both ways, per passenger.

VITALLY URGENT NEEDS TO ADDRESS & SUPPORT MONTHLY:

• Regular Food Supply: Meat
• Cleaning Materials: Dishwashing liquid, laundry soap, cleaning equipment, Handy Andy, Jik, Domestos etc
• Personal Care items: Toothpaste, tooth brushes, bath soap, toilet paper etc
• Medical Assistance: perhaps a weekly check-up, as they are challenged by bed sores and other health issues; physio assistance would be wonderful
• Sponsorship requests:

Staples like rice, Mealie meal, Samp, beans; flour, salt, bread, margarine, spreads

Vegetables recently lost their supply from Woolworths

Non-perishables:oil, tinned fish, baked beans

4 x Caregiver wages

1 Gardener/ or general assistant

Transport costs

Airtime to keep family contact

Utilities – current arrears R55 000

REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE:

The buildings, especially the Office, Hall, Kitchen and Laundry facilities are in a sad state of repair.It would be wonderful to make a warm homely place in the hall so that we can socialise, we are presently living isolated, separate lives, only able to meet a few times a week and have a social meal. It would be nice to have a TV to watch soccer on Saturdays. We would like to make it a home from home as we are separated from our families and outside friends.

DONATIONS: will be receipted and carefully recorded.

We are not State Funded at the moment and therefore need to do all our own fund-raising. In the current economic climate, it is very difficult to keep the facility running. We have no option but except the current situation, as most of the residents have nowhere else to go. What we desperately need is to establish a sustainable income that will see us through on a month to month basis.

Ashley Village Community Development Centre is a registered NPO. We are also registered as a Public Benefit Organization with SARS and authorized to issue 18A Certificates for all donations.

BANK ACCOUNT: ASHLEY VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

NEDBANK, ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1141115913

BRANCH: WESTVILLE, BRANCH CODE: 198765

ACCOUNT TYPE: CURRENT ACCOUNT

SWIFT CODE: nedszajj

Our appeal: please join together with us, it will make a real difference and be an encouragement as we face such serious challenges in life.

If you are able and willing to help in any way either as a group, church, business or individual please contact either Goodman or Judy (contact details on letterhead) to visit us or for more information. Our Website is currently under construction.

We trust and hope that, together with you, our lives will improve in the future, thank you!