The SOS Africa staff and trustees are delighted to announce a record-breaking donation towards the charity’s Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund from a new corporate sponsor.
Inspired by the vital services provided to struggling communities across the Western Cape, the UK based company decided to make an invaluable contribution to further broaden the scope of support provided by the charity’s appeal. And the donation has already made an immediate impact, enabling SOS Africa to purchase 2 23-seater minibuses to expand our food relief efforts and provide transportation for the charity’s Western Cape Education Programmes.
With escalating taxi prices and frequent regional social unrest, transporting food supplies and the SOS Africa children to and from school safely each day through volatile township communities has become increasingly challenging. The new buses will not only provide the Food Relief Appeal and the SOS Africa children with safe and reliable travel, but also save the charity in the region of R250,000 each year in transport costs. They will also enable the staff to arrange more frequent school outings and extra-curricular activities.
Most important of all though, the buses are something which the staff and children already feel really proud of as they drive through their communities each day:
“The kids’ reactions were so beautiful when they saw the buses for the first time! They came running onto the field shrieking with delight. Immediately they started reserving seats for themselves and deciding on who gets to chose the music for the bus rides. An impromptu dance competition broke out amongst the kids! The teachers even joined in a bit.” (Helena Krige, SOS Africa Western Cape Trustee)
This incredible donation has also enabled SOS Africa to expand its holistic approach to tackling both the short and long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In the short-term, it has already enabled SOS Africa to expand its feeding scheme 1500 kilometers north to support struggling residents of Alexandra Township in Gauteng. In addition to the thousands already being fed by the appeal, in partnership with the Bokamoso Youth Centre, last Saturday comprehensive food packages were provided to 100 families who have been directly affected by the pandemic.
In the long-term, the donation will provide much-needed medical insurance for the SOS Africa staff, the funding of a social worker to provide mental health support to those directly affected by the virus and the provision of “COVID-Ready” resources including personal protective equipment for SOS Africa staff and children.
“We are so grateful to everyone involved in making this extraordinary act of generosity possible. This record-breaking donation has enabled us to provide invaluable support to those who need it the most in the short-term, whilst empowering our staff to continue their incredible work safely and effectively for many years to come.” (Matt Crowcombe, SOS Africa Founder)
