Dear Recipients
The social and economic difficulties facing people in our country keeps multiplying. As much as we try to respond to people in need the cries keep coming from every corner; human and animals are in dire straits. Gift of the Givers has been actively responding to the drought crisis consistently since 11 January this year although we had already intervened pre-emptively in certain areas last year.
After virtually five months of grueling efforts deep into Free State, KwaZulu Natal, Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo, parts of Western and Eastern Cape it almost seems that nothing has been achieved, of course that's in a relative sense. We've set up boreholes, reservoirs, JoJo tanks, provided horizontal JoJo tanks for municipalities to deliver water, provided our own water tankers, bottled water, animal feed and food in general.
The calls, the emails, the desperate cries keep coming. Dams are dry, no water comes out of the taps, there's not a drop to drink. Our staff are exhausted, all the trucks and vehicles are "tired" and "moaning" but even they understand the desperation.
Desperate calls of assistance from the Lily Mine families keep coming - we've responded and are taking in more assistance next week. Vuwani residents came crying, we took in supplies. There's more to follow with repair of classrooms, provision of stationery and volunteer teachers.
Then next week we launch our Winter Warmth. We have stockpiled 50 000 blankets and in addition have jackets, beanies, clothes and shoes - all new. Soup and hot meals will be provided. Details soon.
We are faced with an ever increasing calls for food parcels. The stories are heartbreaking with so many families going to bed hungry for days. The reality is that Gift of the Givers can't reach out to everyone. We don't have dollars, euros and pounds that we can convert to rands. But we have something more powerful - we have the Ubuntu spirit of the South African nation.
We call on you today because we really need your help to assist our fellow citizens in absolutely difficult conditions. This is a call to government, corporates, professionals, businesses, media, to all of us living in this country. Cash, food items, blankets, stationery, even the provision of water tankers, trucks and sponsorship of boreholes are all urgently required. Collectively, Gift of the Givers has already spent R25 million on all these interventions and we thank all who made this possible but much more is needed.
A special request to those who have mastered the art of social media utilization to help promote a nationwide campaign to garner more support for fellow South Africans. We will continue with our efforts.
Cash contributions into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account Number, 052137228, Branch Code 057525. Please email or fax deposit slip for acknowledgement purposes. You are welcome to use our QR code facility which may be an easier option. To discuss special contributions you may contact me directly. If I'm not available please send an sms with details and I will get back to you.
All your efforts are much appreciated. A special thanks to Unilever, our biggest sponsor, totaling about R30 million in supplies per year. Special thanks to Vodacom, Nedbank, ABSA, Truworths Foschini Group, Woolworths, Massmart, Meadow Feeds, John Deer, Scot Bader, Nestle, Tiger Brands, Shoprite/Checkers, Pick 'N Pay, Proctor and Gamble, Mutual and Federal, WBHO, SBS Water Systems and so many others.
Warm regards,
Imtiaz Sooliman
Cel.
0832364029
