Gilgal (meaning ‘New beginnings’), was birthed on 18 April 2007 , under the umbrella NPO, AAJ Ministeries.  With a heavy heart for her community, Ginah Skosana has ferociously forged ahead for thirteen years, relying solely on donations.  The mountains she has climbed in her quest to do so have simultaneously scarred and embraced her heart.

Lesego Nyoape Group

Lesego was a young girl of 15 who lived on the neighbouring rubbish dump, who tragically died.  Ginah had a close connection to young Lesego.  She encourages the residents to move from the rubbish dump into the squatter camp.  Many of them, if not all, are addicted to nyaope, their way of escaping their heart-breaking reality.  They receive food from her too.  ‘If there is a need, I try to see what I can do to help.’  She arranges special Christmas food hampers and supplies sanitary products for teenagers, a group of young ladies who have coined the name, Teen Dignity. 

We need to feed our children!

After seeing how hungry the children were when they’d collect food parcels with their guardian/parent, she had one overriding concern. ‘When the bread is finished, what is happening to them? ‘ In 2016 she opened FTK Creche (Feel The Kids).  School is a wooden Zozo hut, for children aged 6 months to 8 years.  Some of them have HIV Aids.  She does not know who does, and who doesn’t.  No one will say.  The children receive breakfast and a cooked lunch, and this, in many cases, is the only hot and nutritious meal the 74 children have each day.  She has 4 teachers in her dedicated school team who earn between R300 and R600 per month, depending on how generous donations have been that month.  Two volunteers help at the creche, which is a big help.  Under The Son ECD Training has stepped in to help train and motivate the team.  Upskilling and empowering teachers within a community, uplifts and empowers a community. 

Gilgal Grannies 

To qualify as a Gilgal Granny/Grandad you need to be at least 55 years old.  On a weekly basis Ginah and her team ensure they receive their Omega 3, Vitamin C, and Calcium supplements.  They take care of the squatter camp gogos and mkhulus when sick, and provide them with food parcels.  They try to ensure that their basic needs are met.  If they sadly pass away, they help where they can. 

Everyone is hungry.  Desperately hungry. 

Every Wednesday, the team get ‘jamming’, with 100 donated loaves of bread.  They make peanut butter and jam sandwiches for the hungry, who flock to Ginah in their droves.  The young, the elderly, those who can walk, and those who cannot.  Everyone is hungry.  Desperately hungry.  Their hunger extends to a fundamental need for comforting, and for prayer. 

What is the impact of Covid-19 in the squatter camp?

They used to supply food parcels to the residents once a month, but with the Covid-19 lockdown, the demand has risen astronomically and they try to supply them weekly now.  The squatter camp has 1 cold water tap that services over 1000 people of varying ages.  There are communal toilets scattered around the squatter camp.  Households have many mouths and tummies in a small, confined and mostly, unsanitary space.  ‘Social distancing does not happen, every day is a normal day’ Ginah tries to ensure that people collecting parcels keep 2 meters between each other.  But this doesn’t happen.  Social distancing is impossible. 

What are their immediate needs? 

Amidst all the uncertainty of everyday life in Jerusalem squatter camp there is a light that is shining bright.  Her name is Ginah.  What are their immediate needs?  Food, blankets, masks, and monetary donations.  She would also dearly love a base, a place that Gilgal can call home.

Please can you help Ginah?

Go to Gilgal’s Facebook page to learn how you can come alongside this life-changing organization, headed by a remarkable woman. https://www.facebook.com/gilgalministry/