By Louise | Managing Director
Avuxeni, Minjani? (“Greetings, how are you?” in Xitsonga)
As South Africa moves into the nineteenth week of its COVID-19 lockdown, South Africans are working hard to assess its human costs. Apart from the lockdown’s devastating impact on the economy, it has suppressed some major types of crime and inspired a surge in some others. But above all, the lockdown has translated into a sharp increase in national levels of poverty and malnutrition. However essential the lockdown is to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, emerging suffering of hunger is being forced to the forefront like never before.
While on lockdown, KTD196 made the decision to step forward and fulfil our mission to assist children to overcome difficult life circumstances. While our core program builds resilience physically, emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically, during this time, we realized that helping them eat and not go to bed hungry for days and weeks is critical.
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 R1,989.60 to R2,068.35. 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 has run out.
KTD196 is proud to report that, because of your support, we have been able to distribute over 150 food parcels to families in Limpopo. Every gift of $100 equates to us being able to feed two families of five for a month. That is really amazing and we are very grateful to those of you who have joined us to stop the pains of hunger, hopelessness, and fear in so many lives. Thank you.
As we enter the month of August, our goal is to distribute another 150 parcels of food, sanitary napkins, and essential hygiene items with our partner We Care South Africa. Coordinating with other organizations and local businesses has allowed us to reach more children and families. Please know that your support to KTD196 is having a huge impact, and hundreds of people are not going to bed hungry tonight. Thank you!
Below is a recent photo of the KTD196 team distributing food parcels. While we wish you could be here to see the joy and relief on the family’s mothers who are able to feed their babies, we hope these photos bring a smile to your face. It is because of you, and others like you, that we have been able to reach this milestone. We are far from done, but we want to celebrate with you. Thank you again.
If you would like to contribute to our food parcel drive, please go to our page, donate, and leave a note so that I know the funds are earmarked for this project. For every $100 per month, 2 families of five are able to eat and to have their basic needs met. We are also distributing seeds to supplement the food parcels with fresh food. You will see the photos attached.
We appreciate you and we hope that everything concerning your family is well. Please stay safe and in good health.
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