This Mandela Day (18 July) comes at a time when many in Cape Town are in great need of aid. With the recent terrible weather, many homes have been flooded, and the shelters are struggling to accommodate those who survive on the streets. There are many ways that you can volunteer your time, money, and resources on a day focused towards helping others.
Help us collect items for those in need this Mandela Day!
Join DPV Outreach and Streetscapes in Celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day. A donation drop-off will be at the Streetscapes Rugley Road Garden on Upper Buitenkant in Vredehoek. Streetscapes will also have their vibrant market day on the go, selling fresh veggies, free-range eggs, organic honey and more…
We’re looking for:
- Bedding, sheets, pillows and pillow cases for single beds
- Winter clothing (jackets and raincoats, jerseys, shoes and boots)
- Toiletries (such as deodorant, body lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush, face cloth, razors, soap, menstrual hygiene products).
- Non-perishable food items (tea, coffee, tinned food, rice, pasta, jam, etc.
- Cooking pots and pans
Donate to worthy causes!
As the shelters currently struggle to support all of the individuals seeking safety from the elements, they are in need now more than ever for our community’s aid. If you do not have the resources or time to spare, please consider donating to one of the incredible organisations who support less fortunate community members.
DPV Outreach and Streetscapes have been a driving force in maintaining the beauty of our neighbourhood. Overseen by a dedicated team of psychosocial workers who assist their clients by aiding them off the streets and into a home through a work-first framework, Streetscapes values teamwork, participation, responsibility, respect, happiness and resilience. Their bountiful community garden has been a wonderful local source for produce. Sadly, their funding is soon coming to an end for the next year, and the teams will have to be cut down as a result.
They are looking for donations to provide stipends for the teams to continue their incredible work in DPV and beyond.
You can also support the City of Cape Town’s Give Dignity Initiative by donating to one of the many shelters around our city (the closest of which would be The Hope Exchange in Roeland Street). The Give Dignity Initiative encourages donating towards long-term programs and organisations that focus on shelter and wellbeing, rather than continuing the cycle by simply giving directly to the individual – in short, “Give a Hand Up, Not a Hand Out.”
The Hope Exchange is asking for both monetary donations as well as donations of toiletries this Mandela Day. This month they are aiming to raise awareness and donations towards running their ablution facilities, which they open to people living on the street to wash themselves and their clothing. The Hope Exchange also provide essential toiletries.
The Haven Night Shelter is currently running a “Buy a Bed” Campaign – essentially sponsoring someone’s stay at one of the shelters for 5 nights at only R75 total.
The Shelter says that one of the biggest obstacles that homeless adults use as an excuse not to find accommodation for the night is the fee of R15 a night – the community paying upfront for the first 5 nights helps these individuals to take the first step, and aims to create a sustainable organisation.
