Dear Camps Bay ‘Community who Cares’,
Some of us in the community have been on the frontline with our homeless for many months now, getting to know them and their story personally and making every effort to get them assistance - long before lockdown.
I had an inspiring conversation with one of the Supervisors at the Strandfontein site where many of our Atlantic Seaboard homeless are staying for the lockdown. What was shared gave me so much hope and convinced me that the work CwC (‘Community who Cares) is doing is more critical than ever.
I’m hearing the most incredible stories about our homeless in the various safe spaces - how they are reuniting with their families, feeling a sense of belonging (sometimes for the first time), getting a cooked meal for the first time in years and best of all finally seeing that there are field workers (our ‘walking angels’) who care enough to walk a transformation journey with them - even post lockdown.
Many of these field workers themselves have been on the streets previously and giving back tirelessly, to help transform the lives of others.
Had it not been for this forced lockdown some of these homeless may not have known what help is possible (including medically) as they were secure in their next ‘fix’, next bin day and possibly just the pure surrender to life on the streets.
While some of the homeless will inevitably return to street life after the lockdown - that we cannot control – by then our field workers will have built the trust and relationships needed to continue our efforts and never give up - always keeping the door open for help.
In fact the best news is hearing how many homeless are now asking for help to not go back to life on the streets. This self-driven ‘want’ is the first step in rehabilitation and transformation, as we have come to understand all too well.
This initiative integrates all our community structures including CBCSI, CBCRA, CPF as well as NGOs, SAPS, Law Enforcement and Department of Social Development (DSD) and we are very thankful to every team member for their months of hard work. It is this collective effort that is driving our results so far.
And from you, the community, we have raised over R160,000 (via Camps Bay CwC) and over R100,000 (via Green Point CwC) in a matter of days - thanks to your generosity. If you would still like to donate, please see bank details at the end of this message. If you would like to volunteer, please email Theresa on CommunityWhoCares@outlook.com.
After careful analysis of where help is needed most, we are releasing the initial funds through our various NGO partners as follows:
- Ladles of Love (already feeding 20,000 people in need)
- RPJ Helping Hands (feeding our homeless at CoCT Culemborg Safe Space and elsewhere)
- Haven Shelter (also helping to feed homeless at Strandfontein)
- Matdoc (project managing the Safe Space and ensuing our Homeless stay entertained with games/arts & crafts etc, also donated by our amazing community members)
- The Homestead (caring for all our street kids during lockdown)
- U-Turn (feeding and supporting hundreds of homeless)
We value your genuine care above all and see it as integral in executing our collective CwC vision...far beyond lockdown.
Thanks for ‘being the change.'
Should you wish to still make a donation to this ongoing project here are the details.
The bank account is a Nedbank Account and the details are:
Account Type - Nedbank Current Account
Account Name - The Camps Bay and Clifton Safe Community Trust
Account Number - 1003615899
Branch - Sea Point
Branch Code – 106909
Payment Reference - CWC+Surname+Address
Proof of Payment - sarah.meder@cbcsi.org
Kind regards.
Theresa, Alan (and of course Heike, Sarah and Ryan (CBCSI) for all behind the scenes effort and support)
CwC Change Champions
