Epilepsy SA’s Gauteng branch appeals for help
The organisation has been serving the community for 56 years.
Epilepsy SA’s Gauteng branch is appealing to the community of Springs for their support.
The 56-year-old non-profit organisation based in Geduld and Daggafontein is in dire need of donations to stay afloat and continue to serve the community.
Epilepsy SA’s Geduld director Aileen Langley says they are grateful for government funding, though the money is not enough to cover all the expenses of the organisation.
“The funding from the government only covers about half the expenses, leaving us to turn to fundraising efforts to cover the rest and even that is not enough.
“We are very reliant on the government, and we can’t continue to depend solely on such support.
“There is also no guarantee that the government will continue funding our various programmes in the next financial year. We are a non-profit organisation (NPO) that looks after the most vulnerable adults.”
She says most of the loved ones of the residents within their facilities are already struggling financially.
“There are few families that assist with monthly contributions and do what they can to assist through volunteering and fundraising.”
“Some of our beneficiaries are old and their loved ones have passed on whereas none of them can’t afford private facilities. Some families can’t afford to contribute to the upkeep of their family members and rely on us and our resources, which aren’t enough.”
She says Epilepsy SA’s Gauteng branch has already submitted their progress report but that does not guarantee that they will receive their funding on time.
“The money is expected to come in around month end of October or early November but even so, the quarterly subsidies only cover half of our expenses for our residential facilities.
“Some of our accounts have been closed until we can pay so we are really working at a loss.”
She appeals to the members of Springs to donate whichever way they can to the organisation.
“Residents need to understand that 20% of the people with epilepsy and intellectual disabilities won’t be fully functional members of society and need all the help we can give them.
“They will need specialised care for their entire lives.”
Aileen asks that donations can be made in the form of basic necessities.
“If people provide us with food, cleaning materials and toiletries, it helps cut our costs down so we can do more for our residents. We appeal to the community of Springs to assist in any way they can.”
To get in touch with Epilepsy SA for more information, contact 011 811 1590.
