By Louise | Managing Director
Welcome to our new supporters and hello to our friends, thank you for all you do!
The COVID-19 global pandemic has drastically changed our way of life. We are forced to adopt a new form of life dubbed as "new normal". As we strive to combat the effects of and the virus itself, certainly, the world will never be the same again. While certain businesses like Amazon and Facebook are fairing well, the majority took a deep dive that seriously crippled economies of nations such as South Africa.
As the South African government reluctantly but necessarily closed business and public establishments, except basic commodities outlets, the citizens are at a limbo of what has to become of the future. The effects of the lockdown had brought already poor families belong to the poorest of the poor category to even greater vulnerability.
In April, 47% of families ran out of money to buy food.
In the province of Limpopo alone, more than 72% of its residents live under the upper-bound poverty line (UBPL), meaning they only earn $56.75 per month according to South Africa's Democratic Alliance. Worst still is the population living under the lower-bound poverty line who earns $25.17 a month. More than 2 million people in Limpopo go to bed hungry. These may just be numbers, but the effects of the pandemic can be felt in the streets where kids walk around listlessly wondering when would be the next meal be.
KTD196 is determined to help 50 communities in the Limpopo province is paramount especially in providing avenues or access to food during the pandemic. While it is our mission to assist children to overcome difficult life circumstances by building resilience, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically- it is imperative that we focus on addressing the problem of hunger first.
Data from the Pietermaritzburg Agency for Community Social Action (PACSA) shows that food prices are climbing in South Africa, with households struggling to keep up. Because of food price inflation, the affordability of food and other essential household requirements for most of the families in Greater Tzaneen is far out of reach. The price of a basket containing 36 basic food items increased over 10% in the last few weeks from US$110.36 to US$121.14. Every single day, thousands of people stand in lines for 10 to 12 hours in hopes of getting food parcels to feed their families. Many are forced to leave empty-handed, tired, and hungry because food ran out.
KTD196 through its Food 4 Life program is proud to report to you that because of your support, children and communities can get access to food through low-cost community gardening. We are tirelessly making this campaign a success due to the urgency that the pandemic had brought about. Thank you sincerely for your invaluable support.
As we look onwards to face more challenges COVID-19 will throw at us, our goal is to drastically address the hunger problem in the communities. Through these gardens, we hope to bring self-reliance, stability, and sustainability in the communities we care for.
Below are some photos of these gardens that would soon bring more smiles on the faces of mothers who are little by little able to feed their children. Again thank you very much, you are amazingly awesome!
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