Maria’s Angels Foundation helping the needy
Maria's Angels Foundation reach out to the less-privileged through food parcels.
Maria’s Angels Foundation (MAF) has been created to support the less privileged in and around the southern areas.
The foundation was established in 2018 with the sole purpose of providing the needy with basic needs such as food parcels, clothes and other necessities.
The Ridgeway-based foundation was established by chairperson Victor Freire and vice chairperson Rosalinda Franco Reis. It is managed by board members.
Services
The foundation provides soup kitchens once a week to informal settlement and township residents. Also, old-age homes benefit from the foundation’s initiative, receiving food parcels and clothes. The foundation is involved in feeding schemes in various schools; it occasionally donates toys to children.
Vision
The foundation aims to build a home for the homeless, and a place to come to when they need educational, spiritual or financial support.
Freire and Reis joined forces to help the needy because when they grew up they too went through hardships.
Reis told the COURIER that some people need a person to listen to, and who will give them emotional support.
“We are here to do that to these people. We need to uplift them and remind them of the dreams and visions they once had,” said Reis.
Since its establishment, members of the foundation randomly visit different families every month, providing them with food hampers and vegetables. Freire and Reis spend quality time with these families.
“We keep our visits low key because sometimes giving doesn’t need you to announce it. We sometimes feel if we let people know we do family visitations, those who are less privileged may somehow feel embarrassed or ashamed of their status,” said Freire.
Where to?
The foundation depends on donations for its survival, and to continue with its work it needs assistance through donations or sponsorship. To generate funds, the foundation conducts fundraising events once a year.
To help the foundation in feeding the needy, please contact Reis on 082 212 7395 or Freire on 072 175 5703.
