In the spirit of ubuntu and the celebration of Mandela Month, the Dis-Chem Foundation partnered with the Humanitarian Empowerment Fund (HEF) to donate a water purification system and JoJo tanks to the Haven of Rest in Tongaat, Kwa Zulu-Natal.
The NGO, home to 150 people, which includes a children’s home, hospice rehabilitation centre, and a kidney and dialysis centre, was hit hard by the recent disastrous floods affecting its water supply, leaving the organisation and Tongaat community without safe drinking water, and with irreparable damage to gardens.
To further empower and support the organisation and surrounding community, HEF is currently repairing and improving the community vegetable garden and supplying seedlings. The garden will benefit from the purification system while the water will be provided to Tongaat residents and their gardens. Once the system is up and running and the gardens are yielding vegetables, they will be able to provide meals not only for the organisation but for those that need food assistance in the surrounding community.
This initiative will create job opportunities and training for those who will plant, grow, harvest, and maintain the gardens.
“We are pleased to be part of the Dis-Chem Caring for the Community initiative to assist the residents of Tongaat after the deadly floods in April and May. We strive to take part in giving back, offering long term solutions to communities around the country,” says Clete Stevis, director, and founder of HEF.
The Haven of Rest has been supporting the community since 2000, catering for its social development, enhancement, and welfare of the community.
In keeping with the Foundation’s focus on making tangible changes and spreading kindness around South Africa, it was fitting that the Foundation offers a long-term solution to assist the Haven of Rest after the recent deadly floods. We endeavour to improve and create sustainability, and this is an excellent example of how that ethos comes to life.
