COVID-19 SUPPORT STRATEGIES
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we remain steadfast in helping as many families as possible by working closely with the Swartland Municipality, the Swartland Hospital, the Provincial Health Services Authority and the Department of Social Development to implement the following Seven Support Strategies that will bring relief to those most in need during these challenging times.
OUR POP CENTRES TURNED INTO FEEDING STATIONS
Since April the Goedgedacht Trust has been providing daily meals to up to 1,386 vulnerable families (on average 4 people per family) across our 6 Path Onto Prosperity (POP) Centres. This amounts to 5 544 meals a day, seven days a week.
TWO RECOVERY CENTRES ON THE GOEDGEDACHT FARM
At the end of May we opened our Recovery Centre on the farm to members of the community who have tested positive for COVID-19. Our centres offer a combined capacity of 32 beds, in separate quarters for men and women, with a further six self-isolation units for first responders, medical professionals and Goedgedacht staff. Thus far 119 patients have been admitted with the number of patients increasing daily.
CARE FOR THE PLANET VEGETABLE GARDEN INITIATIVE
We have distributed 14,959 packets of vegetable seeds to local village gardeners via the Care for the Planet team, encouraging gardeners to secure food supply for themselves and to support their neighbours with fresh produce.
SUPPORTING FARM FAMILIES AT RISK
Our two Social Workers and one Community Worker have been monitoring the farms. Food has been handed out when and where necessary. R62,202 worth of ePap (a nutritious porridge) has been bought for our farm families at risk.
TESTING & TRACKING STATIONS
Our 6 POP centres have been made available as COVID-19 testing and tracking stations, should the Department of Health start with community testing within the Swartland region. To date this has not been necessary.
PRODUCTION OF AN IMMUNE BOOSTING DRINK
Through our trading company, Goedgedacht Trading, we are producing an immune boosting drink to be handed out at the various POP centres. Approximately 15,000 sachets have been produced and handed out to community members to date.
SOCIAL & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Our Social and Community workers are on alert for incidents of gender-based violence or abuse against children in our communities. To date a total of 38 cases have been handled by our Social Workers.
To make all of this happen, the Goedgedacht Trust needs to cover the costs of a variety of items, e.g. food, transportation, gas and electricity costs, sanitising products and many other related expenses.
Donations are therefore a very valuable contribution in supporting the Goedgedacht Trust to help rural families during this pandemic.
DID YOU KNOW?
When the Goedgedacht Trust reports on how many people receive meals at the POP centres, it means that one member of a family collects meals on behalf of the family, in line with social distancing regulations. This has been made possible through the generosity of loyal friends and partners of the Goedgedacht Trust. As a UK taxpayer donating in Pound Sterling, you can increase your giving by 25%. If you are eligible and wish to increase the value of your donation to Grow Peace at no extra cost to you, please complete and sign the Gift Aid Declaration and return to us via email or to our Ipswich office.