“Thanks to AFRICA OUTREACH VOLUNTARY CREW. You are really making a change in our FAMILIES.”  Sabelo Mhayise from Molweni, KZN

‘Stay well’ and ‘Stay safe’ are two phrases often heard, of late.  Less often heard are the words ‘Here is some food, a bar of soap and a cloth mask.’  Even a donation of R200 can feed a small family for a few days.  Granted, it’s not going to be a three-course meal, but tummies are being filled and children are going to bed satisfied, rather than hungry.

How We Began

What do you do when someone asks for your help with ‘everything’?  You recognise that the needs are great, so you start with the little you have, you work together and you constantly expand your capacity.

Africa Outreach first formed when we began responding to needs in the Inanda community.  We have expanded our reach to Molweni, Pinetown and even Mozambique, during the floods in 2018.  Our small, but enthusiastic, team of five has been working together for approximately ten years, offering couples counselling and supplying food, clothing, books and household goods.  Since the lockdown, we are working even harder to source, collect and distribute food, soap and cloth masks.

Success by Collaboration

In this unprecedented time of need, the Africa Outreach team have reached out to organisations such as Pinetown Street Ministry (feeding the homeless in Lahee Park), EL Gibbor Kitchen 3610, and Nation Changers at City Hill Church.  By mutual collaboration, the Africa Outreach team have helped to feed hundreds of families in Molweni and Inanda, and provided food for the homeless.  A few generous local individuals have assisted with food donations, and Sue Spence of Kloof Methodist Church kindly sewed and donated two hundred cloth masks.

“We are so tired but it’s worth it.” – Maxwell Machadu

Nadine Wright of Nation Changers fetched the masks for us and delivered them recently, along with enough food to feed 180 hungry people in Molweni and Inanda.  Our team did the distribution.  ‘Here is a food parcel’ has resounded frequently in Inanda and Molweni and been met with gratitude.

Africa Outreach continue to explore innovative ways of reaching out.  Our weekly couples counselling sessions, a very welcome and necessary part of Molweni life, are on hold, due to the current crisis, so the team are looking for new ways to help in that regard.

“We are so grateful for every person who has helped us to help others.”  Sally Quinlan

In the meantime, the crisis is still very real.  Africa Outreach appeals to local individuals and organisations to continue responding with kindness, generosity, and compassion.

 

Please submit your story to us HERE
For more positive and uplifting stories visit us at #ImStaying

GOOD THOUGHTS • GOOD WORDS • GOOD DEEDS