Helping child-headed households
DIEPSLOOT – The local chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority partnered with the Ngangifisa Project to support 14 child-headed households in Diepsloot.
On 30 May, 14 vulnerable, child-headed households from Diepsloot got a helping hand from organisations which support at-risk families in the township.
The day was organised by the Psi Tau Omega Chapter, the local branch of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and the Ngangifisa Project and was hosted at Diepsloot Combined School on Peach Road where most of the children attend school.
“The Ngangifisa project does a monthly food programme for the children who are the head of their households,” explained Tracy Whitman, chair of the health committee for the chapter. “We have partnered with them and are providing food to two ladies who have aged out of their programme but who still need support.”
Theolyn Blackwood, the chapter’s vice president, was also present on the day.
On the day, each supported child received a care box especially tailored for them and their families, and a representative from Rise Against Hunger SA also came through on the day to deliver food parcels and to teach the children how to prepare the food packs donated by his organisation.
“The care boxes were packed with an individual child in mind and contained a fleece blanket, food parcels, a mini library, featuring books for each family member and flyers about healthy eating,” added Whitman.
The Psi Tau Omega Chapter was launched in South Africa in November 2013 and is the only sorority in the country. The organisation currently has 23 members and offer their assistance in issues of education, health, family strengthening and economic empowerment.
Details: www.facebook.com/PsiTauOmega
