The first weekend in September, Athele went to Pietermaritzburg, about 500 KM from Randburg to make of distribution of 110 blankets with extra goodies for the children.
There will be comments from Athele's Facebook page about this distribution among the many photos. There will also be some videos, and possible disturbing photos of the living conditions in the JikaJoe Settlement where the distribution took place.
Please note that there is no running water, no direct running electricity, no sewer system, no garbage collection and this settlement lack most of what the rest of the world considers normal living conditions.
While the children looked well dress, they are wearing the best of the best of their belongings.
Pietermaritzburg is considered one the least safest cities in the world and we cannot express enough gratitude for Athele to make this distribution on behalf of Knit A Square.
Just distributed 115 blankets, plus 101 toys and beanies to the exceptionally vulnerable children of JikaJoe squatter camp on the edge of town as well as 80 items for the most vulnerable new born babies at the local government hospital, who otherwise risk going home wrapped in newspaper. More pictures to follow but for now let me tell you that was brutal. In every way. Including of course running out of items long before we ran out of children in need. Always heartbreaking. Especially when it’s a cluster of little ones who’ve walked for more than an hour to get to me. I’m going to have to get back here. Simple as that. Anyone fancy helping with funding travel costs we’d be super grateful. As grateful as we are to the contributors from more than 70 countries around the world who give so generously, to the incredible councilor for the DA Sureya who helped set it up and organized security for a walk around in the camp and my darling wonderful friend Sandra Pillay who makes it all happen all the time for so many vulnerable children, often fueled by her love for Christ and faith in the miracles He brings.
Replies
Tragic news from September 24. Athele write:
This is heartbraking. What a disaster and so very sad. I have so much respect for you Athelé, that you will go back to distribute blankets. Thank you so much for what you do for these needy families. I made a donation, that's all I can do to make the KAS distributions possible. xo
So sad to see the remains of the fire. Those poor people! I can't imagine how heartbreaking this would be. Even if a fire consumed my home we have insurance to replace things, these people have nothing. I do hope the KAS Van can visit again soon and supply some more blankets, I am sure they are going to be desperately needed.
Oh goodness me - talk about it never rains but it pours! On top of everything else these poor children have to deal with, this must have been terrifying for them - and their parents, too, of course!
Amy this is AWFUL. I did a donation today for distributions. I'm crossing paws that enough completed blankets have made their way to you for distribution.
It’s absolutely heart breaking, these poor folk have enough to deal with without this tragedy too. I hope no one was hurt.
I hope the blanket room has enough blankets etc for Athele to take as many as possible, but I guess she is limited by the size of her car. Could there be more than one visit? Is it too far for the volunteers and the KAS van?
How do I tell people they can support a distribution like this? I see Athele asking for financial support to get back there, but I do not know how the people on the FB page can make that support? Do I just direct them to the PayPal donations link, or is there something in the shop, like get the motor running?
People can make a donation to KAS through the DONATION button on this page. There is a chance to specify where you would like the money to be spent.
Based on the KAS Charter this is the only way to send funds to KAS.
Thanks for asking.
Thanks. - I did not know if there was something in the shop that would support it. I will let folks know.
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