Bethany, Ikusasa and Tower of Life need help feeding more than 150 children and homeless
Youth centres such as these are under extreme pressure, as staff members and the children themselves are highly vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic. They still have more than 150 vulnerable children to care for, and need help.
Standing a couple of metres apart, practicing social distancing, each speaking through a face mask, it was difficult for the 70-odd staff members of The Bethany House Trust, the Ikusasa Development Foundation and Tower of Life to communicate.
Though they were spread across the paved surface outside of one of the Bethany House’s buildings, their last meeting went ahead before the nationwide lockdown commences at midnight on 26 March.
“The face masks and gloves created an eerie atmosphere, and otherwise ‘known’ people appeared as strangers … and it was silent,” Gert Jonker from the organisation, said.
In the absence of government guidelines on the matter, they said they had been implementing universal precautionary steps since 16 March. They agreed to intensify their current prevention measures, which included wearing gloves and masks, and by implementing stricter social isolation. They noted that some of their staff had chosen to self-isolate during this period, bringing their workforce numbers down considerably in these trying times.
After President Ramaphosa announced the countrywide lockdown, “many, if not most of our staff will not come to work as they use public transport,” they noted.
“We are an essential service and operations must continue, but staff will not be able to get to work.”
Youth centres such as these are under extreme pressure, as staff members and the children themselves are highly vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have large numbers of children and youth self-isolated in rather small spaces for the next few weeks.” They now allow no visitors onto their premises, and the children can no longer go on excursions.
“This has heightened levels of anxiety among the children who are aware of the health crisis, but do not fully understand the impact thereof,” Gert noted.
Their biggest concern right now is that they will be unable, or it would at the very least be extremely difficult to continuously feed the many children in their care.
“We fear that as the government starts shutting down, the service level agreements for the 2020/ 21 financial year will be delayed beyond 1 April, which will impose massive strain on our ability to care for the children in our care.”
They’re asking that anyone who is in a position to do so, to donate additional food to build their stockpile. To donate, please contact Gert on 082 900 7832.
