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Related article : http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-44428
Original article from Rapport 11 May 2008
"God's truck driver" help old aged people in Zim
For 650 poor , hungry senior citizens in 15 retirement villages in Zimbabwe , one South-African's kind-hearted nature makes the difference between life and death.
This group of outcasted elderly people's only source of hope is the green-and-white truck of Mr. Hannes Botha (55) who bring each month food-aid survival packs.
The food-aid survival packs consist only of the most essential needs to keep them alive .
Botha from Malelane in Limpopo (South-Africa) , took care of this elderly people since 2002 on his own.
His 4 ton truck is very old , but regardless still tow a trailer each month , to supply 6 ton of food-aid survival packs to the 15 old-aged homes in Zimbabwe.
In Zimbabwe they call him "God's truckdriver".
Botha lived in Zimbabwe but left the country in 1980 , he say he only do what he thinks is right.
"I don't think people know how utterly the poverty situation is with these elderly people. Some are dying of hunger , malnourishment and harsh conditions.
"The oldest , is an old lady of 102 years , the others range from 70 upward.
"Their fate is tragic , years of hard-earned pension and paid out policys can't even buy them bread today . Most of them's familys are dead or gone .
"They are too poor or old to move . And believe me , the government of Robert Mugabe don't care anything for these people.
"These people are subjected to the mercy and charity of other people . I just decided I MUST help them.
Botha said he initialy gathered foodstuffs himself to make the survival packs. He then transported it on own cost to deliver it to the 15 old aged homes .
He said it is heartbraking to watch the people wait for him when he arrive with his truck .
"They stand there like excited children , after that the tears begin to flow as each receive their package with their name on it .
"Things like toiletpaper , cooking-oil , rice , maize , fresh vegetables , coffee , candles and toothpaste ; means everything to them .
"One old man , which received batteries for his torch , later kept onto it like a baby . It is really very sad" .
Botha said he realised that soon the work became too much for One person alone to handle.
He managed to organize some volunteers - individuals , aid organisations and churches to help with this immense task . One such Aid-organisation is Solidarity Helping Hand Fund .
Eventually he started the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund , which is an Article 21 company - a non profitable organisation .
He say until now the Zimbabwe Government don't bother him to deliver these goods .
He say the organisation is in desperate need of new transport because his truck is already too old .
*Solidarity Helping Hand Fund*
Who are we?
*Identity *
The Helping Hand Fund is an organisation for social care that was founded by
Solidarity. Helping Hand is an autonomous entity that operates independently
of the trade union, although it receives financial assistance from the trade
union's members. Helping Hand is registered with the Registration Office for
Companies and Intellectual Property (CIPRO) as a Section 21company and as a
non-profit organisation (NPO) with the Department of Social Development.
*History*
- During the course of many years spontaneous support actions have been
undertaken by members of the trade union. In time these actions came to be
known as the Solidarity Helping Hand.
- In November 2004 the trade union's management decided:
- That the Helping Hand should be formalised as a Section 21 company
and NPO.
- That all the members of the trade union would make a monthly
financial contribution to the organisation.
- This led to the organisation being formalised at the beginning of 2005.
*Mission*
To prevent poverty and alleviate social need, mainly in communities were
government aid not generally available; and to ensure that good standards of
care are maintained.
What do we do?
*Bursaries*
More than 100 students received bursaries to the value of R1 million in
2007. Students are eligible for a Helping Hand study bursary if they or
their parents are Solidarity members. The personal circumstances of students
are taken into account in the awarding of bursaries. Visit the website at
www.beursweb.co.za
*Donations of supplies*
Donations worth thousands of rands are delivered to the Helping Hand offices
every month. These donations include clothing, foodstuffs and household
items. An efficient system has been developed to identify need, to ensure
that the donated goods meet the needs of the recipients.
*Child projects*
Helping Hand's child projects were a core aspect of the Fund's activities in
2007. The projects are aimed at preparing children for successful entry into
the labour market. Protecting children against crime also forms part of the
Fund's child projects.
*Career grooming*
One of the primary functions of the Helping Hand is to prepare young people
for the workplace. By helping young people to make the correct career
choice, the poverty cycle can be broken.
*Ac hoc projects*
Helping Hand regularly embarks on new short-term projects to tackle
particular issues. Problems like the* *abduction of children, the protection
of street children and upgrading of child cross-examination offices at
police stations were among the projects undertaken in 2007.
*Exigency fund*
Helping Hand's Exigency Fund exists exclusively to provide payment of up to
R1 000 to needy applicants. The Fund cannot support ongoing problems.
Donations are funded by debit orders from donors and donations by Solidarity
members.
Webpage : http://www.helpinghandfund.co.za
Donations can be made online at above web-address or bank particulars can
also be found there.
Related article : http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-44428
Original article from Rapport 11 May 2008
"God's truck driver" help old aged people in Zim
For 650 poor , hungry senior citizens in 15 retirement villages in Zimbabwe , one South-African's kind-hearted nature makes the difference between life and death.
This group of outcasted elderly people's only source of hope is the green-and-white truck of Mr. Hannes Botha (55) who bring each month food-aid survival packs.
The food-aid survival packs consist only of the most essential needs to keep them alive .
Botha from Malelane in Limpopo (South-Africa) , took care of this elderly people since 2002 on his own.
His 4 ton truck is very old , but regardless still tow a trailer each month , to supply 6 ton of food-aid survival packs to the 15 old-aged homes in Zimbabwe.
In Zimbabwe they call him "God's truckdriver".
Botha lived in Zimbabwe but left the country in 1980 , he say he only do what he thinks is right.
"I don't think people know how utterly the poverty situation is with these elderly people. Some are dying of hunger , malnourishment and harsh conditions.
"The oldest , is an old lady of 102 years , the others range from 70 upward.
"Their fate is tragic , years of hard-earned pension and paid out policys can't even buy them bread today . Most of them's familys are dead or gone .
"They are too poor or old to move . And believe me , the government of Robert Mugabe don't care anything for these people.
"These people are subjected to the mercy and charity of other people . I just decided I MUST help them.
Botha said he initialy gathered foodstuffs himself to make the survival packs. He then transported it on own cost to deliver it to the 15 old aged homes .
He said it is heartbraking to watch the people wait for him when he arrive with his truck .
"They stand there like excited children , after that the tears begin to flow as each receive their package with their name on it .
"Things like toiletpaper , cooking-oil , rice , maize , fresh vegetables , coffee , candles and toothpaste ; means everything to them .
"One old man , which received batteries for his torch , later kept onto it like a baby . It is really very sad" .
Botha said he realised that soon the work became too much for One person alone to handle.
He managed to organize some volunteers - individuals , aid organisations and churches to help with this immense task . One such Aid-organisation is Solidarity Helping Hand Fund .
Eventually he started the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund , which is an Article 21 company - a non profitable organisation .
He say until now the Zimbabwe Government don't bother him to deliver these goods .
He say the organisation is in desperate need of new transport because his truck is already too old .
*Solidarity Helping Hand Fund*
Who are we?
*Identity *
The Helping Hand Fund is an organisation for social care that was founded by
Solidarity. Helping Hand is an autonomous entity that operates independently
of the trade union, although it receives financial assistance from the trade
union's members. Helping Hand is registered with the Registration Office for
Companies and Intellectual Property (CIPRO) as a Section 21company and as a
non-profit organisation (NPO) with the Department of Social Development.
*History*
- During the course of many years spontaneous support actions have been
undertaken by members of the trade union. In time these actions came to be
known as the Solidarity Helping Hand.
- In November 2004 the trade union's management decided:
- That the Helping Hand should be formalised as a Section 21 company
and NPO.
- That all the members of the trade union would make a monthly
financial contribution to the organisation.
- This led to the organisation being formalised at the beginning of 2005.
*Mission*
To prevent poverty and alleviate social need, mainly in communities were
government aid not generally available; and to ensure that good standards of
care are maintained.
What do we do?
*Bursaries*
More than 100 students received bursaries to the value of R1 million in
2007. Students are eligible for a Helping Hand study bursary if they or
their parents are Solidarity members. The personal circumstances of students
are taken into account in the awarding of bursaries. Visit the website at
www.beursweb.co.za
*Donations of supplies*
Donations worth thousands of rands are delivered to the Helping Hand offices
every month. These donations include clothing, foodstuffs and household
items. An efficient system has been developed to identify need, to ensure
that the donated goods meet the needs of the recipients.
*Child projects*
Helping Hand's child projects were a core aspect of the Fund's activities in
2007. The projects are aimed at preparing children for successful entry into
the labour market. Protecting children against crime also forms part of the
Fund's child projects.
*Career grooming*
One of the primary functions of the Helping Hand is to prepare young people
for the workplace. By helping young people to make the correct career
choice, the poverty cycle can be broken.
*Ac hoc projects*
Helping Hand regularly embarks on new short-term projects to tackle
particular issues. Problems like the* *abduction of children, the protection
of street children and upgrading of child cross-examination offices at
police stations were among the projects undertaken in 2007.
*Exigency fund*
Helping Hand's Exigency Fund exists exclusively to provide payment of up to
R1 000 to needy applicants. The Fund cannot support ongoing problems.
Donations are funded by debit orders from donors and donations by Solidarity
members.
Webpage : http://www.helpinghandfund.co.za
Donations can be made online at above web-address or bank particulars can
also be found there.
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