1/2 Past (no 1/2 masts for SA)

I’m a South African living in the UK. At this time in our lives when the world is on lock-down I am extremely fortunate to have a roof over my head, food and running water to wash my hands whenever I feel the need to. I’m partaking in screen based exercise classes and I have the opportunity to go for a walk or run outside and oh so much more.

Being in touch with my friends and family back in South Africa I realise how lucky I am. The reality of SA is not quite what it is here. The majority of the 59 million SA population live in informal settlements which means their homes are basically any type of structure or shelter set up in communities which are constructed on land where the occupants have no legal standing and the housing / shelters have no legal building regulations. Therefore, so many people out there are living with 6, maybe more people to a shack, there’s no running water which as we all know and take for granted is so essential to preventing the spread of Covid 19.

These millions of people living in these settlements live from hand to mouth, day to day. They have no resources or savings for times like this. They live crammed into tiny shacks, and they’re supposed to stay there in lock-down, it’s totally impossible. If the main breadwinner is not out making his / her daily wage, there is no food, let alone soap and water.

There are some wonderful initiatives from SA business owners to raise money for the people in these settlements to aid with food drops and food working groups who distribute food parcels to those most in need and support in whatever way is needed. These initiatives are planned for the next 3 – 6 months to help these most vulnerable South Africans.

I pledge to do either 10 push-ups or a minute of plank every ½ past the hour of every hour that I am awake every day, no matter where I am at the time or what I am doing at ½ past the hour; to raise money for the informal settlement inhabitants of my home country, South Africa. Starting Monday 20 March for the next 3 weeks of lock-down till Sunday 10 May 2020.

Why ½ past the hour?

Because I don’t want SA to have to lower their flag to half mast for any body who simply can’t get a meal to sustain them through the Corona Virus lock-down in SA.

Why Push-Ups?

Because, I’d like to help the less fortunate South Africans to get a Push Up in life towards a better future and to get through this time of lock-down.

Why Plank?

Because, I’d like to be a plank of support and a beam (another word for plank) of light at this uncertain time.

Why am I trying to raise money in the UK?

Because, as I write this the rate of exchange GBP £1 = ZAR R23.52. This is unheard of in my lifetime and even the smallest donation at this rate of exchange will be the hugest help to these impoverished people. Donations welcome from all over the world. No donation is too small.

With your help and a small donation, we can save lives in SA for those who really have nothing.

#staysafe #solidarityfundrsa #coronavirus #covid19 #staysafeathome #helpingothers #southafrica #thatssolidarity #halfpastchallenge

Originally all funds raised were going to be donated to The Solidarity Fund SA, however being such a big organisation, it would have ended up in a big pot used for many different projects they are helping out with at this time. I specifically wanted money raised from this drive to go to feeding the vulnerable people in SA, so they suggested I find smaller charities working on the ground.

The £2200 raised so far has now been donated to the following 4 charities:

SINGAKWAZI AID in Kwazulu Natal where there are soup kitchens feeding over 4000 people daily. www.singakwaziaid.org.za

GRACIE LOVE IN A BOWL in Hout Bay Cape Town who are growing organic vegetables being used by various Mama's in the Hout Bay communities cooking to feed everyone there. gracie.org.za

LADLES OF LOVE in Cape Town, a hub collecting donations of food stuffs to send out to vetted NGO's who are feeding people in various communities. www.ladlesoflove.org.za

RHEENENDAL FOOD WORKING GROUP, a community collective feeding over 8000 people in the settlements in and around Knysna. www.rheenendal.org

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, your donations have gone a long way and helped so many people in need. Love and blessings to you all.