Spend ‘a night on the street’ to help the homeless

WINTER is on our doorstep and homelessness is on the rise in South Africa.

In a bid to shed light on this burning issue and curb rising numbers, U-turn Homeless Ministries and Independent Media have joined forces and launched a campaign to raise R1 million to support U-turn's work.

To be part of “A night on the streets“campaign, the partnership is calling on all South Africans to donate, and also spend May 18, either sleeping outside on the streets, in their gardens or on balconies in solidarity with the homeless. The campaign is aimed at understanding the depth of homeless in SA, and serves as a reminder that homelessness is not usually a matter of choice.

Regional editor of Independent Media’s Cape publications, Taariq Halim, says homelessness has become so commonplace that people have almost become blind to it.

“But as winter approaches and more people find themselves in these circumstances, something must be done to help them and reopen our eyes to the humanness of the problem around us.”

He said U-turn and Independent Media believed that “we can all do something, no matter how small, because many small things can grow into something meaningful”.

Chief communications officer at U-turn, Valerie Govender, said: “U-turn is honoured to partner with Independent Media. Through their extensive reach and influence, Independent Media will help amplify the message of ‘A Night on the Streets' and shine a spotlight on the work of U-turn in supporting the homeless community.”

Visit www.homeless.org.za/nightout or contact Valerie Govender on valerie.govender@homeless.org.za for more information.