Urgent appeal for warm clothing donations to support informal settlements this winter
Bolander reported on this flooded home in Riemvasmaak informal settlement last year, after heavy rains hit the area. Although Athi Ndwebi community volunteer says currently they have not yet experienced extreme flooding of this nature, there is still a need among people for warm clothes, blankets and bedding as the cold temperatures continue to leave people vulnerable and exposed to the elements.
Image: Supplied
The non-profit community organisation, Love In Action, based in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, has issued an urgent appeal this week for donations of warm winter clothing to help residents in the area’s informal settlements.
Elizabeth Visagie, founder of the organisation, said this time of the year, the need for warm winter clothes is great.
Ms Visagie said that every winter, residents of the informal areas in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village are extremely exposed to flooding, icy temperatures, and the damaging effects of strong winds, which often result in the loss of their clothing.
“It’s just as cold in the zinc homes in Riemvasmaak as outside in the street, and with the cold weekend lying ahead, we ask people to help us keep more people warm. Thank you for every clean, warm item of clothing already received,” Ms Visagie said.
A former Gift of the Givers volunteer, Ms Visagie began working in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village after the devastating floods of 2021, and has since made it her organisation’s mission to step in whenever help is needed in the wake of severe weather.
On Thursday, June 26, after a few days of cold temperatures and heavy rain, Ms Visagie took to her social media and community groups to ask for donations of warm winter clothes to be distributed to the residents in areas including Rasta Camp, Riemvasmaak, Pinetown, Uitkyk and other informal homes affected in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village.
Since putting out a call for warm clothing donations on her social media groups on Thursday, June 26, the founder of the Love In Action non-profit, which operates in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, received the first batch of donations on Friday. She is now appealing to the public to continue supporting the drive by donating warm blankets and bedding.
Image: Supplied
“I’m prepared to lose people to disease, but not to cold. They can pass on warm in their beds, but we can prevent cold deaths. Can everyone please ask extended family and groups for any one warm clothing item, especially for children, that we can donate to the people of Sir Lowry’s Pass,” she said.
Athi Ndwebi, community volunteer and founder of the Uyanda Foundation in the Riemvasmaak informal settlement, is one of the recipients who can attest to the impact warm clothing donations have on the lives of residents in Riemvasmaak and other vulnerable areas.
“Even though our area hasn’t seen the same level of flooding this year, our people still need warm clothing,” he said.
“Last year’s donations made a big difference during the cold, especially the many blankets we received — they really helped families stay warm. This year, we’ve already received children’s socks from Ms Visagie, which are especially helpful as we prepare to take the kids on a mission trip.”
To donate clothing, contact Ms Visagie by sending her a WhatsApp message at 079 275 7055. Clothing donations can also be dropped off at the open little gate at 115 Gordon Road, Somerset West.