Providing a bridge of hope is central to the make-up of Focus on iThemba and our team, in response to the fight against COVID-19, has broadened our mission in this season to support the communities we operate in with food relief and other hygiene essentials.
A new hope is birthed! The last two weeks has seen our team experience the true meaning of partnership as we were equipped to deliver 800 food parcels to the staff and families of our various iThemba programmes.
“We are so grateful for this opportunity to continue to impact our community in the Valley of 1000 Hills in the fight against COVID-19”, expressed Tayla-Anne Goss, Team Leader at Focus on iThemba. “Working in this vulnerable community, we understand the grave need that families have for this sort of support, as many are unable to provide for their households due to being unable to work during this season or having been left unemployed. The generosity of our partners in this initiative, has allowed us to provide a bridge of hope for so many deserving families and an opportunity to be agents of change.”
A large portion of our energy went into carefully planning the systematic distribution and collection of parcels at every school to ensure we facilitate a smooth and safe collection process.The role of our ECD monitor is instrumental in ensuring safe and controlled measures are being properly observed.
The response from the community was that of complete gratitude. For many families, this season of life during COVID-19 has brought about an overwhelming sense of insecurity and concern for the future but the receiving of a food parcel has given them a glimpse of hope. Items in the food parcels include: assorted beans, cooking oil, rice, maize meal, salt, sugar, soup mix, soya mince, multi-purpose soap and toilet paper.
As we reflect on the last two weeks, we pause to acknowledge the valuable contribution of each of our partners in this campaign. Listed in alphabetical order:
- CityHope Disaster Relief – Donation of food parcels
- Cotswold Downs Management Association – Funding of operational delivery costs.
- CyberChem – Donation of hand sanitisers
- the Domino Foundation – Donation of food parcels
- the HCI Foundation – Donation of food parcels
- Hearts in Hands Foodbank – Donation of fresh produce
- the Robin Hood Foundation – Donation of food parcels
- Warthog Plant Hire – Reduced delivery fees
Great appreciation must also be made to the various volunteers who gave of their time, hearts and hands. Sincerest thanks to the amazing staff at Waterfall Pre-Primary, a few iThemba board members, the Gibb family and various other volunteers – we value each one of them!
If you feel moved to be a part of this impact initiative in any way or would like to donate, please get in touch with us!
