Giving back to charity: Christmas projects in the north
Many people in Pretoria are turning to feeding schemes and charity organisations to put food on the table.
The year 2020 has been a very challenging year to put it mildly. Job losses and unemployment figures are at record highs, with many people in Pretoria turning to feeding schemes and charity organisations to put food on the table.
In the north of Pretoria, many residents are feeling the pinch as well. The following charities are striving to make a difference and will be hosting Christmas projects in the coming weeks to assist those in dire need of basic necessities:
CMR North
CMR North is a non-profit Christian organisation established in 1937 with a professional network of social workers that truly give hope to people in despair.
CMR North dynamically operates through 17 centres of hope located in three provinces in South Africa: Gauteng, Limpopo and the North West.
“We focus on giving people the opportunity to live life to their full potential through our team approach and three main community programmes: family preservation, child protection (which includes adoptions and fostering), community development and poverty alleviation,” says CMR Marketing and Fundraising manager Anja Le Cornu.
CMR north launched a new initiative in 2020, called Let There Be Light that works a little different.
“This year we are launching our Christmas project via WhatsApp – it’s so much easier to shine a bright light in the lives of children and families in need,” Le Cornu said.
This year CMR North has a total of 738 children in need.
“We’ve noticed one of the biggest gifts you can give a child in our care is the chance to receive therapy. Please feel free to donate towards a child’s therapy as it has long-term benefits in their recovery, whether it stems from abuse, neglect or sexual abuse,” Le Cornu said.
Hanna Charity in Wolmer
The Hanna Charity provides personal attention and direct benefits to children, youth, the ageing and their families so they may live with dignity, achieve their desired potential and participate fully in society.
“Hanna Charity and Empowerment foundation supports communities with all the basic services such as playgroups, soup kitchens, skills development, job creation, clothing banks, social and psychological support, libraries and much more,” says June du Toit, communications manager at Hanna Charity.
“One of our biggest outreaches is in Wolmer as the need for basic necessities is so high. We have between 8 000 and 9 000 people across all six Hanna Stations that we run, to take care of, resulting into an almost impossible mission to feed all.”
In Wolmer approximately 200 – 300 people are in need of assistance.
“We’re having a Christmas party for the children on 21 November and a party for the adults and their kids on 27 November,” says area manager Lizal Stander.
Angels without Wings
Angels without Wings is a registered NPO, with one mission in mind: “To deliver hope to the families of children with life altering conditions or with children who are terminally ill”.
“We aim to do this by firstly assisting with the financial burden brought upon them by their medical bills, and then to also look after all the families’ emotional needs, by introducing them to a solid and understanding support base,” says Nadine Voyiatzakis.
Angels without Wings are in dire need of basic necessities like food, medicine and toiletries. When they conduct a field day, volunteers of the charity hand out food parcels to the communities of the north.
“We assist people who live on the street, but also the families who live in houses without food or electricity and running water.”
To get involved, visit the Angels without Wings Facebook page.
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