Ivory Park residents receive donations

Ivory Park Ext 2 residents received a special visit to help them survive the period of lockdown.

Bantu Bambanani Aids Project collaborated with India Telugu Expat Community to identify and assist residents who are in need of basics during the nationwide lockdown. The project profiled and recorded 870 people in need.

The organisation donated 1 000 food parcels, of which 130 was donated to displaced persons and the rest to residents.

Roy Phina, project manager of Bantu Bambanani Aids Project said she and her team saw it necessary to assist residents. “We approached various wards in Ivory Park learning the needs of residents, and lack of food was the main issue we discovered. The team pushed harder to help mostly those who take medication because they need a stable diet at all times.”

Raghu Kalakonda from India Telugu Expat Community said humanity and inspiration drove them to help the community. “Our team cannot beat the rising poverty but, with the little we have, we saw the need to assist where we can as people are currently struggling to find jobs due to the lockdown.”

Kalakonda added that the organisation will also assist other areas. “We have supplied residents with a package that will last them for a week but this is not the end, we are still planning to conduct another drive helping surrounding areas.”

Ward 70 councillor Thomas Maluleka gave a heartfelt response to the donations, “With Ivory Park being one of the disadvantaged areas in Gauteng, it is hard for residents to make ends meet. I am thrilled by this gesture because it is a relief to residents who are struggling to buy food and other basic needs during this lockdown.

Donated goods were sanitised by the Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministry. “We deal with sanitisation of products to ensure that the environment is safe and clean. Our team saw the need to also assist where we can by collaborating with the organisation to ensure that everyone receives something to survive lockdown,” said Theresa Hurter.

Details: Roy Phina 065 882 4030; Laxman Reddy 084 767 2711.