For the past few weeks we have been encouraging members to support local Lehigh Valley non-profits who are on the front lines of fighting COVID-19 and helping the homeless and the hungry. How would you like a donation to be multiplied 20 times? Your $10 donation could have the impact of $200!
Please read the appeal below which is from the president of the Hermanus Rotary in Hermanus, S Africa. Ann hosted and organized our DIstrict's 2 day RFE (Rotary Friendship Exchange) stop in her club's town last September. Normally. Rotarians from South Africa would be visiting us in the next year or two - but given the Corona VIrus, that exchange is on hold indefinitely. Here's a chance to help Rotary "Connect the World" - if you'd like to donate, contact the editor for details.
21 April 2020
Dear Lou and Barb
An Appeal for Financial Aid for a Feeding Scheme in Hermanus
I trust this letter finds you both well.
We are appealing to fellow Rotarians living in countries where the exchange rate is very favourable. Currently the Dollar/Rand is about R19 to $1. A killer for us. One Big Mac meal in USA could give a family of 2 food for a week.
As previous visitors to our town we'd like to share with you the challenges we face in our beautiful town during the current world pandemic.
Background
Our economy is driven by tourism, a small scale wine industry and the abalone industry. In 2018 we had months of social unrest due to land grab issues which halted the tourism industry and most of our businesses. People were retrenched. The abalone industry exports most of its product to Asia, but the Hong Kong riots, followed by the Corona virus, has ended this industry resulting in huge job losses.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic South Africa is in total lockdown which means that the wine industry has been shut down, they can’t export their products plus, alcohol sales are banned in SA during lockdown.
Hermanus has had an unprecedented influx of economically disadvantaged and poorly skilled people from the Eastern Cape, plus foreigners from all over Africa, arriving in the town looking for work. Our region has one of the highest TB, HIV/Aids and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome stats in the world. All these factors have been compounded by the arrival of the pandemic and the lockdown. Many of these people live in shacks made of corrugated iron.
Some are lucky enough to have a small home, but they accommodate extended family. Social issues
such as gangsterism, drug lords, poaching, teen pregnancies, cramped living conditions and dire poverty are making social distancing and personal hygiene difficult.
How is Hermanus managing the pandemic?
Parts of the community are adhering to the lockdown, but the township residents are generally still walking around and finding social distancing difficult. Many are just looking for food, trying to help their families.
Our Municipal Disaster Management Team (DMT)is doing the best that it can do under extremely difficult conditions and faced with the huge financial constraints any small town faces under these unexpected conditions. They are working with SA Red Cross, Relief.Life, Rotary and a team of dedicated volunteers to provide food parcels to registered families, soup packs and soup kitchens for the non-registered citizens. The process has a structure, accountability and transparency. The Municipal team meet daily and the organisations and volunteers have regular zoom meetings.
The distribution process
- A non-perishable Food Bank is located at the Shofar Church hall where all the packing is done.
- A cold warehouse in the industrial area stores the soft goods such as vegetables and fruit.
- The soup packs and soup kitchens receive stock from a separate food pod located in the town.
A food pack contains basic items to feed a family of four for 1 week. The value is approximately R360 per pack. The Food Bank currently needs R250,000 per week. The increase in requests for food aid is increasing. Supermarkets have food trolley collection points and Law Enforcement officers deliver the contents to the Food Bank on a daily basis. Financial aid is preferred as the more funds received the better the chances are of discounted bulk buying.
Ultimately we would like to know that the 10,000 people in our townships are going to bed each night having had a meal. We know that we are not there yet.
What is the role of Rotary in the feeding scheme?
The law restricts the movement of citizens to only those offering essential services.
- The Club made a substantial donation to the feeding scheme in the first lockdown period. Members handed out information posters in town and to the businesses prior to lockdown. Currently the President and President Elect are assisting the DMT with admin, logistics and fundraising.
- The vocational team are looking at assisting the small entrepreneurs to get back on their feet once the lockdown period is over.
- As Rotary is trusted we are one of the three organisations receiving donations for the Food Bank.
Our Churches and other civic organisations are all helping in one way or another: medical equipment, clothing as we are heading into winter, mental health, cooking meals for the homeless and aged.We are a humanitarian organisation facing a humanitarian crisis. The current Dollar/Rand exchange rate is very favourable for USA donations. We are hoping that by connecting with fellow Rotarians in the month of ‘Mother and Child’ we can establish a link via you to the members of Allentown Rotary. Would your members consider making a donation to Hermanus Rotary to ensure that during the COVID-19 pandemic Rotary was there to help reach all the families who are living from day to day without any food at all?
We would be most grateful for any financial assistance that you would be able to make to the feeding scheme. I have posted photos of the packs that are currently being given to families.
We send our warmest wishes to you both and to your members. The RCH are currently all doing well.
Stay safe, stay healthy.
Yours in Rotary
Ann Wright
President
Incoming AG D9350
+27 833070726
Bank details: Rotary Club of Hermanus
Bank: Standard Bank
Physical Address: Hermanus Branch, Whale Coast Mall, Main Road Hermanus, 7200
Postal Address: P O Box 18, Hermanus, 7200
Branch No: 050312 (Hermanus)
Account No: 082 261 385
Account Type: Business Current Account
Swift code: SBZA ZA JJ
Reference: COVID19 RCNS
