The Social Upliftment Project (SUP), together with the Save Our Daughters Forum, calls for more support to continue making a meaningful difference in the Alberton community.

Founded and chaired by Jayce Moodley, with executive directors Clifford Smith, Gabby Garbers and Alexandra Da Silva, the community-based non-profit provides practical assistance through a wide range of outreach programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable families, senior citizens, children and young people.

Teddy bears bring comfort to children

The organisation has officially started distributing teddy bears and knitted toys to selected beneficiaries to provide comfort and hope to children who have experienced traumatic events.

The donations are being distributed to Stepping Stone Hospice Children’s Unit, Alberton SAPS, Brackendowns SAPS and the Germiston SAPS Children’s Trauma Centres.

Community members are encouraged to donate teddy bears, knitted toys or contribute towards the initiative to help comfort children during difficult times.

Matric Dance Project underway

SUP has also officially launched its annual Matric Dance Project for learners living in Wards 37, 38, 94 and 106 in the Greater Alberton area. The organisation is appealing for pre-loved matric dance dresses, hairdressers willing to volunteer their services, beauty salons offering makeup and facials, sponsors to assist with ticket costs and donations for fundraising raffles.

Sponsors will receive community recognition and media exposure through the project’s trusted media partners.

Helping vulnerable families

One of the organisation’s most emotional initiatives has been The Maria Project, which began after a request for assistance for a nine-year-old girl named Maria.

Following a thorough verification process, the project expanded into a long-term commitment to support Maria and her family with full winter uniforms and bags of new casual clothes, food supplies expected to last at least two months and a R200 monthly tuck shop account at her school for the remainder of the academic year.

Yet, despite this assistance, the family continues to live in a dilapidated Wendy house with only a mattress.
Jayce Moodley has committed to continuing to support Maria and her family with school essentials last year and this year.

Strong impact across the community

According to the project’s latest feedback report, the organisation achieved several milestones during 2024.

SUP has distributed food hampers to 460 families and cooked meals for senior citizens.

They have collected, restored and distributed around 200 wheelchairs and walkers, supplied hearing aids and asthma pumps and nebulisers to people with respiratory illnesses.

Furthermore, 40 learners benefited from the Back to School Project and 32 young women attended their matric dance thanks to sponsors.

Not only did SUP expand food collection, but they also formalised an Abuse Prevention Programme to support victims of abuse and launched a Back to Work Project by restoring and donating bicycles to residents who walk long distances to work.

Community members can support the organisation by:

Make monthly financial donations or donate in kind; sponsor programmes such as Baby Bank bundles, senior winter gas, hearing aid fittings, or Back2School kits; or volunteer your time to assist with services or offer your professional services free of charge.

The organisation also extended special thanks to Gasify for its continued winter energy support, Medellin Mens Grooming Group for empowering Matric Dance beneficiaries, and every volunteer and donor who continues to make its work possible.

Moodley said that although the need in the community continues to grow, so does the willingness of local residents to help.

“Every rand, every hour volunteered and every donated item changes a life here at home,” he said.

Community members wishing to support any of the projects or make a donation can contact Jayce Moodley on 084 258 7172.