Give beggars directions, not food or money
Lesedi Care Centre (LCC) manager Jaco Kritzinger has over the years found that beggars sell the food for money to buy drugs and cash donations is also spent on this crippling habit.
While it is part of human nature to assist those in need, the reality of the matter is that very few good deeds go unpunished and the assistance people provide beggars often only makes their situation worse.
“Most beggars take the food or money the community gives them and buy drugs like “nyope” which costs only R30,” Kritzinger said, adding that most other drugs are also easily attainable in town.
So what can the community of Heidelberg do to make a real difference?
Instead of providing those less fortunate with the means to stay on the same path, Kritzinger said that giving them directions to the Anglican Church on the corner of Voortrekker and Marais Street, provides a more sustainable solution.
“We recently launched a feeding scheme at the Anglican Church where those in need can enjoy a healthy meal,” he said.
Food is served at 16:00 (Mondays to Fridays) by LCC staff members and volunteers.
“The LCC base in Rensburg is too far for most beggars to walk, so we have decided to bring the food to where it is needed most,” Kritzinger said.”
Asked how persons who would also like to make a difference can get involved, Kritzinger said that donations are always welcome, but that they also need volunteers to help prepare and serve the daily meals.
LCC currently assists 42 homeless people with accommodation and have recently been approved by the Lesedi Community Centre to house 68 people. In total 6600 meals are cooked at the LCC every month. In addition to the cooked meals, LCC provides food parcels consisting of vegetables and other groceries to the average value of R40 000 per month that are handed to those in need.
The organisation also boasts a skills development programme where the homeless can up-skill themselves by learning a trade like welding, IT office administration, or obtain call centre skills.
“In the next five years we would like to open a rehabilitation centre in Heidelberg and to increase our feeding schemes to 100 000 meals a month, as currently we only do close to 6600 meals a month.” Kritzinger said.
| Follow us on: | ||
 |
 |
 |
 |
