This month communities across South Africa and the world will celebrate that birthday of former President Nelson Mandela

Formally known as Mandela Month, July highlights not only Mandela’s life but also his legacy.

Even as South Africa remains under lockdown level 3, the Rays of Hope Foundation would like to encourage the community to continue to support those in need.

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Rays of Hope has continued to make an impact in the Alexandra community during lockdown with its #Hope4Alex initiative.

Phase two of the initiative extends beyond providing the community with food parcels.

The goals of Mandela Month aim to promote access to education and literacy, the provision of food and nutrition, access to shelter and sanitation as well as active citizenship.

According to the foundation’s Thando Duma, in support of these goals, Rays of hope has identified five key community needs that will assist Alexandra community over the next few months:

• Providing food, hygiene products and masks
• Supporting children by providing books, school support, toys, sanitary products
• Mental/spiritual health support and counselling (gender-based violence, domestic violence, grief, anxiety)
• #WarmUpAlex – winter blankets, clothing, scarves and beanies
• Covid-19 screening and referrals

All of these services will be made possible through partnerships with a network of organisations across Alexandra.

“Rays of Hope needs additional donations from individuals and businesses to continue to make a positive change in the community of Alexandra,” added Duma.

This Mandela Month, you can be part of the change and support Rays of Hope by:

• Sponsoring R750 hampers, which feed a family of six people for three to four weeks.
• Donating office furniture, carpets, plants, etc., so that Rays of Hope can equip its offices to best serve the community.
• Donating blankets and winter clothing, scarves, beanies, etc., to keep people warm and reduce the fires that ravage Alex during the cold months
• Assisting with connectivity and data for students to be able to continue with their studies and small business owners to complete online training
• Assisting with airtime for our counselling services that are available for the community

All donations received from a company will be eligible for BBBEE points and a Section 18A certificate can be issued for cash donations.

Donations can be made of the #Hope4Alex page: www.raysofhope.co.za/hope4alex/

“Mandela Month is recognised as a global movement for positive change that begins with small actions. These actions stem from every person who chooses to make a change, raise awareness and expand the reach of the values Mandela lived by,” Duma concluded.

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/261481/meet-the-man-behind-rays-of-hope/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/274969/rays-of-hope-reaches-over-and-above/