BrainEd Foundation from Ext 11, Mzamo Acres Section, Spruitview, requests support for their donation drive.

The organisation is pleading with Kathorus residents to donate rechargeable lights and blankets to help learners and needy families during winter.

The founder of BrainEd and principal of Thuso E Molemo Creche (TMC), Nadia Gaffoor, asked the public to donate or buy one rechargeable light and a blanket if possible.

“In this cold season, South Africa experiences a raise in accidental fires that pose dangers to family homes.
Informal settlements are the most exposed as most are either illegally connected to the Eskom grid or have no access to electricity.

However, this challenge is not limited to squatter camp dwellers. It can affect anyone because the power utility is battling to keep the lights on.”

She said this would help minimise fire accidents that damage people’s homes and save people’s lives.

“This winter we need to say no to candles or paraffin lamps. The use of paraffin lamps and candles causes most of our fire incidents,” said Gaffoor.

She said through this initiative they intend to provide lights for learners to use at home during load-shedding, for studying and doing homework and assignments.

“These lamps last up to 60 hours if charged and matriculants can also use them to charge their phones,” she explained.

She said because charity begins at home, first donate to TMC and the teachers, as some of them live in informal settlements.

Other donations will benefit child welfare as well as the community of Vlakplaas informal settlement in Vosloorus.
“We need light to do homework, cook, and do chores that we cannot do whilst at work. Help us to help others,” said Gaffoor.

“A gift of light will change our struggles to a much more pleasant winter.”

Background

Gaffoor established BrainEd in 2020. The executive committee members include teacher and director Safiyya Gaffoor; the director and procurement official Mohamed Gaffoor and teacher and non-executive member, Thembelihle Qwabe.

According to Gaffoor, the foundation provides tuition and aftercare services to school-going children in Spruitview.

She said since the Covid-19 pandemic, the foundation has raised funds to provide food, pre-loved clothing, and educational books among others to struggling families in need of basics.

To support the initiative, contact Gaffoor at 0789270916, alternatively email n.gaffoor786@gmail.com