One brick at a time for more housing for those in need

Essential housing in South Africa is becoming more of a problem leaving many people without a roof over their heads.

Fortunately, the Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF) based in Sandton has just launched a new campaign in March this year, One Brick at a Time, which is aimed at addressing the issue.

Mashawana is the CEO of the foundation and said they believed that building a community and taking care of the most vulnerable was an essential part of everyday existence.

“We are asking the public to donate and contribute a brick or bricks towards the building of these 100 homes. Each brick will cost R2 000 and we are hoping to reach a target of 5 000 bricks, allowing us to build 100 homes for people in need,” he said.

“The CMF has been reaching out in support of the elderly and people living with a disability since 2013. One of the main challenges we’ve come across has been the issue of housing. In partnership with Afribiz Invest, we’ve managed to assist hundreds of people with safe houses and shelter, which we believe is a fundamental basic human right.”

He added that the campaign would focus on all nine provinces adding that the aim was to assist those who lived in inhabitable conditions, regardless of where they were located.

“I believe that government is playing its role in providing for society, but as is with any government across the globe, there are challenges and only so much can be done at a time. We need to find ways of working together because much more can be achieved if we joined hands.”

With a focus on this initiative, Mashawana said their core purpose would always be to make a clear difference.

He added that another initiative of the foundation, House Appeal, had managed to provide hundreds of people with safe shelter and has also donated essentials and food parcels to the needy where required.

“Our team has gone back to the families that have been assisted in the past year to see if the houses that have been built are still in order and ensuring that their well-being is sustained. As a foundation, we believe that helping those who are in need should not only be a once-off, but it should be a journey whereby all our resources are invested in the upkeep and well-being of our beneficiaries.”

Mashawana concluded that a number of prominent people and personalities have come on board in the Sandton area o support the initiative.

If you would like to get involved or buy a brick visit:www.collenmashawana.com