COVID-19 is affecting people across the world but for those living in poverty, the potential impact is massive. By providing funding for masks, gloves, hand-sanitizers, protein-rich food and immunity-boosting supplements, you can help the poorest of the poor in Alexandra, Johannesburg, to survive despite the odds. It's almost impossible to isolate or even to keep a social distance when you live with so many people in such close confines but with your help, we can work to reduce the impact.
Alexandra is overcrowded and under-resourced therefore COVID-19 will have a massive and potentially disastrous impact. The hardest hit will include: - The unemployed as they will not have the extra money for soap and sanitizer; - People living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions; - The sick and elderly who cannot risk exposure; - People for whom no work means no pay; - Children who are usually fed at school (schools are closed) - Those with no access to medicine to treat their symptoms
As a society, we are only as safe as the most vulnerable amongst us. Rays of Hope is planning to assist in reducing the spread of infection between people. While isolation is very difficult and medical facilities are limited, by providing non-perishable food, basic medicines, soap and sanitizers, we will be able to reduce the need for infected people to go shopping for food and travel to doctors except in severe cases, while also enabling improved cleanliness and hygiene.
By bringing practical assistance and showing the community that they do not have to battle COVID-19 alone, the impact on the people of Alexandra will hopefully be reduced. All assistance will be accompanied by education on how to prevent the infection spreading, the benefit of social distancing where possible and assistance on caring for those infected. If the number of infected is limited to a few hundred, instead of several thousand across Alex, the long-term effect will be enormous.
