‘Tis the season to be giving! And local non-profit organisations (NPOs) are receiving.
“Giving Tuesday”, celebrated on 28 November, is a global generosity movement to bring change to communities worldwide. This initiative creates positive change in the world and is built on “shared humanity and radical generosity”.
But should “Giving Tuesday” be confined only to this date? “We would love Giving Tuesday to be every Tuesday throughout the year”, says Debbie Bone, fundraiser for Bizweni Centre for Children with Disabilities, a registered non-governmental organisation in Somerset West.
Starting in 2012 as a day for people to do good, and which has grown into a year-round global movement, Giving Tuesday inspires millions of people to show their gratitude and give generously.
One such centre that benefits from such generosity is the Bizweni Centre, which currently provides education, therapy and essential services for 66 children with disabilities. These include cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and spina bifida. The children, from age 2 to 18 years, are cared for by staff, who include ECD practitioners, class assistants and a multidisciplinary team consisting of a speech therapist, two occupational therapists and a life-skills coordinator.
Bizweni’s services include transport between homes within the Helderberg basin to the centre, a hot lunch, therapy and regular outings. “Every child, irrespective of background, ability or circumstances, should have access to education.”
The centre started a food drive in 2020 and has continued until now. Unfortunately, their food-drive reserve is almost depleted. They realised that most of their beneficiaries’ families will suffer if these fortnightly food parcels should end.
Mealie meal, rice, sugar, tea, milk, vegetables, a tin of pilchards and peanut butter are some of the staples included in the parcels.
The monthly cost is R30 000 and feeds 62 vulnerable families – about R490 per family per month. Every donation will help reach Bizweni Centre’s goal of R360 000 to continue this sustenance in 2024.
Donate through their website at www.bizwenicentre.co.za or on GivenGain at www.givengain.com/campaign/food-drive–fighting-food-insecurity For inquiries phone the centre at 021 851 6645 or email debbieb@bizwenicentre.co.za.
