Tzu Chi Foundation brings early Christmas to the elderly and disabled
Serena Yan, from the Tzu Chi Foundation, extended her warmest wishes to everyone in the community for a joyous and safe holiday season.
The Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation based in Bedfordview hosted a food distribution targeting elderly and disabled people from Primrose disadvantaged areas.
Marathon, Makause informal settlements and Primrose residents benefited from the Christmas distribution programme.
Some 150 people received parcels containing cooking oil, sugar, mealie meal, rice and shoes that were distributed from the Methodist Church in Primrose.
ALSO READ: Christmas comes early for Edenvale Care Centre Hospice staff
According to Nokulunga Mhlahla, a community development worker and Tzu Chi volunteer, the food parcels will bring relief through the festive holidays.
“The recipients were chosen with great care, taking into account their situations. One needed to be elderly, orphaned, impoverished, unable to take medication without food, or disabled.
“Our work continues as we distribute monthly to residents we identified on the ground. When there is a shack fire, we also assist mostly in Primrose informal settlements,” said Mhlahla.
The Tzu Chi Foundation volunteers co-ordinator in Primrose, Lydia Pushuli, said they are working towards having the Makause informal settlement soup kitchen operational again next year.
ALSO READ: Enjoy Edenvale Lioness Club Christmas cakes
“We believe the kitchen benefited many locals. The challenge was a lack of funding. If someone wants to volunteer, they can call me on 082 360 6011, and we will allocate them somewhere,” said Pushuli.
The foundation’s Serena Yan wished everyone in the community a joyous and safe holiday season.
