WATCH: 118 blankets handed to Remar South Africa
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day donates handmade blankets to support vulnerable residents in The Hill.
Remar South Africa in The Hill received 118 blankets from 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day on May 26.
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day founder Carolyn Steyn and Annie Grealy led the handover, bringing warmth and comfort to the recipients.
Residents were given the opportunity to choose the colours of the blankets they preferred, with Steyn and Grealy assisting them.
@southern.courier 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day founder Carolyn Steyn and Annie Grealy led the handover, bringing warmth and comfort to the recipients. Residents were given the opportunity to choose the colours of the blankets they preferred, with Steyn and Grealy assisting them. Full story on southerncourier.co.za
“We are bringing warmth with blankets. People around the country are making these blankets with their own two hands, knitting and crocheting them. It takes a few months to make a blanket with love. So we are bringing you love from around our country, stitched together in the name of Mandela,” said Steyn.
Leila Zijlstra of Remar South Africa thanked the organisation for the generous donation and said some of the blankets would also be distributed to other homes in need. She explained that Remar South Africa focuses on helping people recover from domestic abuse, drug and substance addiction, and other hardships.
“We are an organisation focused on recovery, whether from domestic abuse, drugs or substance abuse. We are all here to seek refuge and help. Some people work in the clothing shop, second-hand goods shop and kitchen. We also operate Naturalia Soaps and Candles,” she said.
Zijlstra shared her personal journey, explaining that she joined the organisation after struggling with drug addiction for 11 years. She said Remar South Africa does not take referrals, as individuals must decide for themselves to seek help.
@southern.courier Zijlstra shared her personal journey, explaining that she joined the organisation after struggling with drug addiction for 11 years. She said Remar South Africa does not take referrals, as individuals must decide for themselves to seek help. Full story on southerncourier.co.za
“If you need help, you contact us, and there will be an interview. There is no cost involved,” she explained.
She added that the organisation accommodates nearly 150 people across five houses, with additional facilities in Benoni and White River in Mbombela. Remar South Africa also operates in Eswatini, Mozambique, Angola and is expanding into Botswana. Internationally, the organisation has a presence in 72 countries, including Portugal and Spain, where it was founded.
Zijlstra said donated items are first used to assist vulnerable community members before any surplus is sold to support the organisation’s work.
The NPO also feeds and clothes homeless people and distributes food parcels every Sunday. In addition to its premises in The Hill, Remar South Africa operates a furniture shop in Turffontein.
More about Remar South Africa
Remar South Africa supports homeless individuals, abused women and children, people battling drug and alcohol addiction, and orphaned children through its outreach programmes.
The organisation collects donations such as household appliances, clothing and shoes to support vulnerable communities in Johannesburg and beyond.
Remar South Africa is based at 21 Edgecombe Road, The Hill, while its furniture shop is located at 48 Turf Club Street in Turffontein.
For more information, email remarrsa@gmail.com or call 061 976 6565 / 011 435 1725. Follow the organisation on social media at Remar South Africa.
