A critical shortage of clothing at orphanages and children’s homes are often overlooked as institutions struggle to make ends meet on a monthly basis.
Putting food on the table and paying the rent often take first priority for many homes that lack government subsidy.
Zinzan van Wyngaardt (17) endeavoured to create awareness around the issue as his term on the Junior City Council of Cape Town came to an end last month.
A matriculant at the Settlers High School, he started a clothing collection project from his home in Kraaifontein.
“Each member of the Junior City Council was tasked to run independent community projects within their respective communities with the assistance and guidance of the junior council heads and ward councillors. As a whole various issues were addressed such as feeding the poor, tutoring of young kids and clothing,” he said to the newspaper.
“I started a community project called ‘I Matter’, whereby I collected and donated clothing to children’s home Bright Stars.”
The home in Kraaifontein serves as a place of safety for multiple young children removed from dangerous environments due to parental drug and alcohol abuse. The NPO does not receive government help and relies totally on the community and local businesses for assistance.
“Realising the large amounts of clothing that many of my peers and family members had been holding on to, I wanted to put it to good use.
“I collected and donated every week or second week either after school or on the weekend. By the end of my project I had made five large donations,” he says.
Much-needed donations
Much of this donation also made its way to Badiso Trio clothing bank.
With branches in Kraaifontein, Scottsdense and Bellville it is the only registered welfare organisation that can deliver child protection services in the northern suburbs of Cape Town. During 2022, Badiso Trio dealt with 250 cases of child neglect, and placed 15 children in foster care.
The clothing donations are given to children in need and also sold on a clothing sale twice a month where families in need can buy clothes at very affordable prices. Money generated from these sales go back into child protection services.
Zinzan says the project was a phenomenal experience.
“It was a ride which I without a doubt did not regret buying a ticket for.”
Bright Stars Safe Home can be contacted on 084 039 4210.
