Good Samaritan keeps Alberton jobseekers warm
Brackendowns resident Ryan Ellapan donated beanies to Alberton jobseekers on June 17.
Ryan Ellapan (21) is a testament that it takes little things to make a difference.
This is after the Brackendowns resident donated beanies to Alberton jobseekers on June 17.
Through his NPO, Salvation Foundation, Ellapan donated 146 beanies and booklets of biblical messages to jobseekers across parts of Brackendowns, Brackenhurst and Mayberry Park.
This was made possible with the help received from his family who has since decided to be part of his NPO after its inception at the end of 2020.
He told the RECORD this act of kindness will go a long way in making a difference in the lives of these jobseekers who wake up early to look for jobs.
“These donations were handed over to us by a close friend who has positively contributed to the running of our NPO. We presented them to people who station themselves at traffic lights on our local major routes. This was part of the NPO’s Youth Day commemoration,” said Ellapan.
Ellapan also said through this donation, he wanted to show people, especially his peers, that it doesn’t take a lot to make a difference in the community.
“You are never too young to make a difference. You don’t need a lot, you just need to trust God and all will fall into place. We will again host a soup kitchen and blanket drive on July 10 for jobseekers and the homeless. We would appreciate donations of blankets towards this,” he said.
Magdaline Kekana, a jobseeker from among many who benefited from his donation, thanked Ellapan for his selflessness.
Life-changing
Ellapan’s experiences inspired him to start an organisation that aims to lend a helping hand to others in the community.
From being on the verge of sinking into a depression to finding his purpose, Ellapan eventually started his NPO.
He spent half of his life in different hospital beds and saw different specialists due to the complexity of his condition. His near-death experience began at age 12, where he was diagnosed with two chronic liver diseases, autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
However, his situation got better over time after one day receiving his breakthrough at a Brackendowns Christian Church. Surviving these conditions, according to Ellapan, was a turnaround of his life, which inspired him to positively impact lives through Salvation Foundation.
