Youth organisation making a difference in Gomorrah
A parent said that “it is a blessing and God’s love to have young people taking care of the community members, homeless and the children as well”.
Many families in the west of Pretoria are struggling to make ends meet because of the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown regulations.
People in Gomorrah informal settlement are struggling with food and other essential needs.
The founder of Malusi Youth Development Organisation (MYDO) Hlakudi Malatji, said since lockdown started, they have been trying to feed these families by supplying food parcels.
“We went in partnership with organisations that helped with distributing packages and thus far over 250 family members in the area have been identified,” said Malatji.
MYDO has recently collaborated with Hope Worldwide Foundation.
Marketing manager at Hope Worldwide Thabang Ramodipa said their focus was mainly on the children of Gomorrah.
According to Ramodipa, the partnership started when the leader of the Gomorrah community approached shops in the community to help with food parcels.
“NassCash allowed Cash and Carry to help with the distribution of 50 food parcels that is worth R15 000,” said Ramodipa.
Ramodipa said over 200 children stood in line.
“Children stood with 2-litre bottles as they lined up by keeping their social distancing from each other,” said Ramodipa
“We handed out 50 food parcels to families in the Melusi community. We have distributed a total of 894 food parcels since lockdown started,” he said.
A parent said that “it is a blessing and God’s love to have young people taking care of the community members, homeless and the children as well”.
Malatji said “no student can learn with an empty stomach” and he also quoted Nelson Mandela that “children are the light of tomorrow”.
He said not only have they distributed food parcels to families but they got support from the education department for donating books.
Head of education Grace Madzena said they very thankful for the donation of books and masks for learners.
“This intensive our learning programme and our efforts of instilling reading culture among our young people,” Madzena said.
Madzena said that education can unlock all doors of success, and “we appreciate the support we get from all our educational supporters”.
“As the head of education, I also like to send my special thanks to Lonwabo and Lisakhaya James for the donation of the books.
“This will strengthen our education and bring the knowledge of our kids to the next level. Hopefully their parents will also love to see them growing with the knowledge and the love of reading,” she concluded.
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