Covid takes but good Samaritans give

It’s no secret that people all over the world are struggling. Everyone has their own problems and we sometimes don’t see just how desperate the situation really is for many families.

Mercifully, many people are ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.

The Cross Connect Community Outreach (CCCO) organisation is always willing to tell the stories of the many hardships they see in the community every day. We at the News will do our best to tell these tales of hardship without revealing anyone’s identity, thus no photos or real names will be used.

This is one such story:
On Sunday, June 18, Elizabeth put her children to bed knowing that there will be nothing for them to eat the next morning – not that they had much to eat the previous few days. In fact, the next two days she had to survive on an empty stomach.

With nothing to fuel her, Elizabeth started walking from her home in Munsieville. With no money for food, she certainly couldn’t afford a taxi.

She remembered that last year during strict lockdown a few good Samaritans made multiple visits to the township, helping where they could by supplying food and other basic items to many residents. She remembered their name and knew they were based in Noordheuwel. On Tuesday morning, June 22 she arrived at their gate only to find that their signage was gone and the doors were closed.

CCCO had moved to Carol Road in Silverfields a few months prior, so she set off to the Silverfields address. When she arrived, Elizabeth was exhausted. She sat down with the staff and told them her story.

Elizabeth is a single mother. At age 54 she has no job, and even the odd piece jobs as a domestic helper that sustained her family pre-Covid-19 were in the past. She explained that few people still allowed cleaners into their homes, being fearful of the virus.

Kyle Tolman, CCCO founder explained to the News that they currently serve roughly 3 000 people in and around Krugersdorp, but admitted that it’s sometimes difficult to keep track. At times they help a thousand or so more. They’re inundated with requests for help every day, and they try to help everyone they can with the limited resources they have.

Most often, churches and other organisations refer people to the CCCO when they themselves have their hands too full, which unfortunately encapsulates the problem that the town’s currently facing.

“It’s picked up a lot recently. We get between 300 and 400 requests in a month. If we help every single one, it’ll mean we spend R40 000 a month on food. We just don’t have R40 000. We try to focus primarily on single parents; it doesn’t matter if they’re young or old, or if the grandma looks after the children; we will help”.

In the end, Elizabeth walked 15 kilometres to CCCO, but she left with bags of food for her and her two daughters.

If you’d like to help the CCCO assist the needy of Krugersdorp, contact them on 079 491 4404 or 010 100 0075.