A mother is one unlike any other. When we think about it, every day is a mother’s day. Every day around the world, hundreds of thousands of babies are brought into the world – by mothers. Every morning, millions of children wake up and experience a mother’s care, and in most households mother’s goodnight kiss brings peace and closure to busy days. Mothers are the universal epitome of unconditional love.

We prepacked and distributed these 200 aid parcels – plus sandwiches and a treat of chocolate eggs – to families in this settlement off the N7, to try to ease their extreme plight during CoViD-19 Lockdown. They were so desperate, it was difficult for them to keep waiting patiently, yet we know these little touches of care will make a difference!

We prepacked parcels for over 500 people at Kliphuewel settlement – who have been suffering greatly during the national lockdown, and need all the help they can get. Young and older, one by one they came up (due to social distancing guidelines we had a constant separate procession) and received a parcel with fresh fruit and vegetables, pap, stock cubes, tissue paper, tea, and a Gospel magazine. It was, as always, a blessing to us to be able to be there, and we know that just as much as the physical help, the knowledge that they are remembered will continue to uplift them.

As we mentioned before, in addition to individual family food parcels, We bring food to a large soup kitchen almost every day. Pastor Nanda told us just weeks ago: There have been times I am almost forced to divide a bread roll between two children, just so everyone can have something. Also, much of our food supplies have stopped due to lockdown, so what you bring keeps us going and gives so, so many their daily food!” This time, Pastor Nanda was so grateful to receive (on top of the regular load of food items) 150 sandwiches – made with love by some friends of Helping Hand – plus apples and oranges (See video) How sweet and thankful! Praise God!

It has been estimated that up to 25% of South African households (not limited to informal settlements!) are without money to buy food. This is absolutely heartbreaking, and as followers of Christ, we feel compelled to do what we can, even if it seems little in the face of overwhelming need.
We have been continuing our collection and distribution of fresh foods and goods during lockdown – while observing all possible practices for hygiene and social distancing for the protection of ourselves and others. To date since lockdown began we have distributed over 5700kg of fresh food – meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and bread, plus staples like rice, flour, sugar, tins, maize, tissue paper, and more!

For all of you who participated in the HomeRun for the Homeless Initiative – organized by STS – a huge and grateful “Thank You! It exceeded expectations and was also truly an encouragement to our whole full-time team; we have at times felt overwhelmed recently. So thank you!
We will now be able to purchase foodstuffs and then pack and bring desperately needed aid parcels to two locations (over 700 people) that we could not assist much during lockdown up to now due to lack of funds. This is SO wonderful and we are excited to press forward with helping as many as possible.

We heard about a team in Worcester doing their best to alleviate the suffering caused by lack of work and food during this time. We were glad to be able to give them a variety of essential items and foodstuffs, enabling them to make quite a few more parcels for families that side. They sent pictures of some of those that benefited!

When driving back from a major food parcel distribution, we noticed a group of men, women, and children standing on a little ridge on the side of the main road, holding up simple signs that tore at our hearts…
… “Out of Food” …”Please Help With Anything” …”Hungry”