Good Samaritans respond to TV broadcast
on people and ‘Katie’s story, in particular, had a profound effect and support there has been an incredible outpouring of love
Cllr Graham from around the country and from overseas,’ said
GRAAFF-REINET — The feature shown on news channel ENCA last week highlighting some of the effects of poverty on local residents touched many hearts, and Cllr Samantha Graham has been overwhelmed and humbled by the response.
The purpose of the story was to highlight the issue around the procurement of food parcels.
As was stated, the procurement has been centralised and following their tender process, SASSA appointed three service providers to supply food parcels to the Eastern Cape – one in Gauteng and two in KZN. The vast distances that they must travel have accounted for the delays in the delivery of social relief of distress packages and this has really affected the poor folks in this area. Katie Stoffels was one of those affected –this 57-year-old woman weighs less than 30kg, and as Cllr Graham mentioned in the ENCA extract, is “literally starving to death”.
“Katie’s story, in particular, had a profound effect on people and there has been an incredible outpouring of love and support from around the country and from overseas,” said Cllr Graham.
An overseas benefactor donated R7000 to improve Katie’s living conditions. A group of DA activists has constructed a small room for her with an en-suite bathroom, adjoining her brother’s house in Kroonvale.
The room should be ready for occupation this week and she and her son Patrick will move into their new place.
A lady from Johannesburg contacted Cllr Jankovich immediately after seeing the story. She sent R2000 which was used to take Katie and Patrick shopping for new clothes, underwear and shoes. She is also sending new bedding for their new home, and toiletries for them.
A woman in Ballito sent R1000 which was used to buy food, particularly chicken, for Katie and her family.
A couple from Johannesburg, Jay and Minla Mathiri, contacted Cllr Graham to ask how they could assist. They subsequently arrived last Wednesday, after leaving home at 03:00, with 70 food parcels which were delivered to needy families throughout Graaff-reinet and Aberdeen. In addition, they brought boxes of TEL: 049 892 2016 / 892 2260 FAX: 049 892 2265 / 086 549 7992 CELL: 082 875 3704 / 082 606 4010 082 870 2960 (after hours) petrus@n1construction.co.za PO Box / Posbuss 633 Graaff-reinet, 6280 toothpaste, toothbrushes and soap which Cllr Graham has handed over to Nqweba High School for some of the really poor learners. There were also bags of chips which will be donated to Thembalesizwe Primary School.
A bag of food with a blanket was given by a local farmer’s wife, which Cllr Graham handed over to Katie.
The head of the Department of Correctional Services, Ms Dunga, was so touched by Katie’s story that she has collected money from her staff to put towards assisting Katie. Cllr Graham took Ms Dunga to meet Katie and her family last week, and Ms Dunga has promised to look at other ways in which she can assist. Furniture is still needed for Katie’s new home, including a set of bunk beds for her and her son to sleep in.
The most profound response was from SASSA who have endeavoured to assist Katie in whichever way that they can.
This includes the provision of two mattresses and four blankets which they provided immediately. Katie has also been assessed by a doctor and it appears that she will qualify for a disability grant on the basis of her long-term malnutrition and other ailments.
This is wonderful news for a long-term sustainable solution to Katie’s problems.
Katie has also received her first food parcel and will receive two more – in November and December. Cllr Graham has been contacted by two other people who wish to assist Katie and she has forwarded them the banking details for the bank account she has opened for her donations.
“As mentioned, we still need some furniture to fit out her room, such as tables and chairs” said Cllr Graham. “She doesn’t have any cutlery or crockery or anything to cook with. And she doesn’t even have a towel or face cloth. So, if anybody is willing to donate anything in this line, we would be most grateful.”
“This story has certainly shown me that South Africans remain the kindest and most compassionate people in the world” Cllr Graham concluded. “We are blessed to live in such a caring country although there is still much to be done to ensure that people like Katie are not just discarded because nobody knows what to do with them. This story has highlighted the need for a more proactive approach to dealing with issues such as these in our community. We all have much to learn from this”. Katie Stoffels in her old house, during the filming of the ENCA feature. Cllr Samantha Graham delivering food parcels to households in need.