Happie Hippie’s Sponsor Hope campaign aims to rebuild lives from the ground up

FOR others on the streets, hope is often the first casualty. But for Andy Ward, the founder of Happie Hippie, restoring hope is what it’s all about, one act of kindness at a time.

Also read: Help Happie Hippie restore people’s lives with bag of dignity

Ward, who has spent his life walking with the homeless and addicted, recently launched the Sponsor Hope with Happie Hippie campaign. The campaign invites individuals to sponsor and support the organisation’s growing number of outreach programmes.

Programmes to support:

A new initiative, Soles for Souls, is focused on providing tough shoes to needy individuals. “For someone who walks long distances a day and sleeps on the sidewalk, a new pair of shoes means protection, warmth and a sense of renewed dignity,” said Ward.

In addition, Happie Hippie offers spiritual support through the distribution of bibles, and when someone is ready to begin the road to recovery, the organisation assists with access to medical care and rehabilitation.

“Doctor visits cost around R600, and long-term rehab on a working farm near Durban costs R2500 per month for six to nine months,” said Ward.

The team has also been assisting individuals to obtain critical documents like IDs, which are essential for employment and social reintegration.

Also read: Caxton Cares Square by Square project: 234 blankets and counting

To encourage ongoing support, Happie Hippie has introduced a reward system. Donors contributing R500 receive a Happie Hippie shirt, while those giving between R500 and R1000 receive a shirt and more. Donations of R1000 or more include a cap along with the other rewards, each gift representing a step toward change.

But at the foundation of all these efforts lies a simple, powerful gesture that started it all, the Bag of Dignity. Filled with essentials like a toothbrush, soap, facecloth, and an energy bar, the bag offers more than physical relief.

 “The only time you should look down on someone is when you’re reaching out to help them up,” said Ward.

Contact:

To help Happie Hippie financially or through way of goods donations — such as clothes and shoes — phone Andy Ward on 072 786 4540.

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