We can’t do this work alone and are focused on building relationships with individuals, groups and corporates. We appreciate each and every donation - large or small - and have welcomed contributions of items such as knitted or crocheted baby beanies, artwork, books, toys, blankets and food. We have seen amazing support from groups such as the Catholic Women’s League and Pinelands Muslim Association Social Outreach.
Over the months, we have formed a valuable relationship with a Norwegian-based company, GC Rieber, that has factory in Capricorn Park, Cape Town, producing a range of ready-to-use foods which are used in the prevention and treatment of malnutrition. Their products are utilised effectively by many UN agencies for impoverished adults and children across the globe.
Our relationship with GC Rieber developed after a request from the KDH dieticians for assistance in dealing with the malnutrition they see in the hospital daily. As with many challenges in the hospital, the resources are just not enough for the demands of the impoverished community it serves.
GC Rieber stepped in and supported us with donations of Eezy Paste, their therapeutic food formulated to treat malnutrition in children and packaged in simple sachets. A short while later, after an emergency “the larder is bare” message from KDH’s head dietician, and a call to GC Rieber, we received an immediate donation of additional Eezy Paste supplies. The power of this partnership was so evident when, only a day later, little Zola (not her real name) came into KDH desperately in need of nutritional support to keep her body developing; she suffers from Chronic Lung Disease and is a regular visitor at KDH. The dieticians were so relieved and happy to be able to give Zola some Eezy Paste, knowing that it helps her to meet her daily intake requirement.
Mandela Day saw the staff at GC Rieber partner with us to pack 799 baby packs: with a generosity of spirit, the entire company worked in groups to take turns packing in the board room. In addition to people power, they donated all the bags, nappies and sticky tape. One staff member shared: “The board room was a festive packing party! The way in which everyone embraced what needed to be done, and then did it with so much joy, was a deeply touching experience for us.”
