“We came across a youngster, that the principal and the social worker was disciplining about his smoking habits. This kid started crying, I took him under my arm and asked him why he is smoking. He said to me, in Afrikaans, “Uncle, the reason I smoke is because it’s the only thing that takes the hunger away”. From then onwards, I just had a passion for doing charity work,” Deon Louw recounts what inspired his journey since 2006.
Deon was among several beneficiaries to receive blankets and winter packs at the busy Western Cape branch of the Africa Muslims Agency in Athlone on Saturday. Dozens of community-based organisations received the donations just in time, in anticipation of harsh winter weather.
Areas including Mitchells Plain, Wynberg, Brooklyn, Surrey Estate, Philippi, Schaapkraal and Hermanus are due to benefit alongside Masjids and churches, hospitals, schools and old age homes. The Winter Packs consist of a double blanket, gloves, socks, scarves and hats and masks.
AMA Regional Manager, Hussain Choonara, said the organisation commemorates 35 years of its annual Winter Warmth campaign this year, and that it is has worked to magnify the reach of existing organisations:
“Every year now, we support a network of over 250 community-based organisations by providing them blankets and winter Packs, given to vulnerable areas. These organisations are working in the hospitals, at the orphanages, schools- its about amplifying the work that they do. Its about (how) together we can complete one another in reaching the most needy areas,” he said.
Choonara said it’s not just about providing warmth, but also restoring hope.
“We encourage supporters and volunteers to donate but also come and join us. We see, for example, Brenda, who gives her daughter up to her mother to look after for the mere fact that she doesn’t have a blanket or warmth in her home. What wont mothers do for their children? And the mother going to an extent to let her child to stay with someone else. That’s the extent of some of the people we meet.”
“Yes, we see the blanket cost R130 and a pack R280- we spend that on a meal sometimes! But imagine bringing back that child to their mother. That’s the difference you make. How do you quantify a price to that? You cannot,” urged Choonara.
One of the recipients was Osma Sahib, representative of Ukukhulisa Education Centre in Philippi. He explained that the organisation provides quality education, development programmes, after-care and meals to over 100 students at four ECD centers in the townships, free of charge. He adds that their holistic approach also caters to caregivers.
“We strongly believe that’s where we need to start, because a young child with an open mind is where we need to train. We train teachers and also run development centers for the children in the afternoon for children aged 7-15. We also feed these children that come hungry from school. They stay with us until about 5pm,” elaborated Sahib.
“Although we’re working with students, we also develop the parents because some are single moms, gone through abuse, or on drugs. We run programmes with them with life coaches on a weekly basis. Alhamdulilah we’ve got some incredible feedback about how we assist them,” he added.
Founder of the Concerned Young People’s Forum of SA, and ward Councilor for the Hermanus, Overstrand, Overberg areas, Masibongwe Sihlahla echoed the sentiments. Sihlala manages an informal settlement home to about 3 000 shacks, determined to play his part in “eradicating poverty, assisting destitute families and bringing about change in ‘our’ communities”.
“Daily, I find people coming to my door as a councilor. They need help, food, they have no school shoes, no clothing. Today (Saturday) is quite important to me because its going to put a smile on someone’s face- the elderly, the kids who are staying with single mothers, child headed households. This is very important because it will help families who can’t even afford to buy blankets but through this initiative, it will also (give them) a smile,” beamed Sihlala.
“We have a lot of unemployment in our country, by receiving this blanket today its going to mean something. They’re going to sleep warm. I’m really thankful to AMA to actually bring about positivity in our people’s minds and pulling that mindset that says that even if something good is not happening today, tomorrow something might actually happen.”
Sihlala also urged counselors to live up to their role as leaders:
“It goes back to the fact that as a person, you are a human being and you agreed to lead people. The fact that you said you are available to lead your people; why don’t you then make time to go and find out what are the issues people are facing?” he questioned.
“You can’t just sit because, as councilors, people are employers. If you don’t look after your people, who are you serving? Do what you call self-introspection. Ask yourself why did you agree to be a ward councilor if you’re not going to deliver the service your people are expecting from you,” said Sihlala.
Ravensmead resident, Lenore Combrink, took over the reins from her late, selfless mother, and helps run five soup kitchens in and around the area. She says the receipts are highly appreciative.
“There are also people from other places that we distribute food and blankets to and we’re very grateful that they (AMA) chose us to get blankets today. It means a lot, because you get five people that lay under one blanket- you cant even imagine. So, they appreciate the kind gesture happening for them,” said Combrink.
Deon Louw, founder of Deon and Carol Louw, said it is collaboration between like-minded organisations that get help to where its required.
“We are a small not an organisation but just out of our hearts that help our communities, especially the needy and elderly in our area. We do food parcels, every month, there’s about 20 families we supply, through the help of other organisations like Upcountry Feeding Hands and AMA and many more. I would like to say thank you to AMA for making this available to donate blankets, especially in the cold winter we’re having now- Jazakal Kheir (sic),” said Louw.
The non-Muslim gentleman said one and all need to be educated about Islamic principles such as sadaqa:
“If everybody on this dunya can just get the concept of sadaqah, lillah and fitra- teach it to each and every one, every religion, every denomination- we will have no poverty and no hunger on this dunya,” said Louw.
Other organisations include Feed the Needy from Mitchells Plain, Luthando Orphanage in Table View, Kalksteenfontein’s Audrey Daniels and Duiwehokke in Parow.
Visit AMA’s website, to find out how you can donate a Winter Pack for R280 or a blanket for R130.
