Helping people and communities in need is second nature to Jessica Naicker of non-profit organisation, Ignite Revolution. As her schedule is a busy one, she recently took some time out after was declared one of the winners in a Southcoast Mall competition to celebrate mothers. “My daughter Nikayla entered me. I felt blessed and of course excited to have a shopping spree, it was a much needed treat.”

Jessica started Ignite in 2018 ‘to ignite people with love and hope’. “It was something that God laid in my heart and with the support of my family, we decided to be obedient to what God had asked.” At that time the NPO’s primary focus was providing counselling to students at schools, but has since broadened its outreach.

Armed with a team of 25 volunteers who are all passionate to serve, they focus on a number of community building initiatives. Among them are: a soup kitchen in Nyandezulu for over 200 children who are also provided with stationery and school uniforms; clothing and food to those in need, as well as assisting local schools; a soup kitchen for the homeless in Port Shepstone on Fridays and a hot meal programme, where meals are cooked, packed and distributed in areas of need. “We send out thousands of meals every month,” said Jessica.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, a food relief grocery hamper drive was initiated and more than 3500 hampers have been distributed to families not earning an income. This drive is ongoing. However, Ignite is also involved in various other projects such as a homeless assistance programme, drug addiction, youth programmes and more.

However, Covid-19 has created further challenges. “The main challenge is always funding and donations. Due to Covid, the needs within the community has increased tremendously as many smaller businesses have closed and many have their lost jobs. Requests for food hampers have tripled and the many smaller organisations that were assisting the community have since stopped due to a lack of funding. God has been gracious to us and supplies all of our needs to meet the needs of others,” said Jessica.

As fundraising is also at an all-time low, Ignite relies on donations of food and food hampers instead of cash. “We are striving to achieve a mind-set of by the community for the community. I believe that if every person contributes one item, we can meet the needs of those who do not have. We also welcome partnerships with businesses to achieve their social responsibility goals.”

Ignite is now a full time job for Jessica. “I live what I do and that is the difference, it’s not a job to me, it fulfils me, so I work everyday not because I have to or have something to prove because I want to.”

If you are interested in donating to Ignite Revolution, contact Jessica on 078 6514574.

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