The homeless need a shelter
It’s been a wet and icy week in Pietermaritzburg, but where do the homeless go when it rains?
Ahead of World Homeless Day coming up this Sunday, October 10, Life Changer NPO, as part of their #WhereShouldIGo campaign alongside the Pietermaritzburg Homeless Network (PHN), has acquired 70 Shelterbags from the Sheltersuit Foundation to hand out to homeless on the streets of Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.
The Shelterbag is a wind and rainproof jacket that doubles as a sleeping bag with a matching carrier bag. The sleeping bag comprises a built-in mattress and soft pillow area, and is waterproof and windproof.
The donation made by Sheltersuit Foundation and Doorway to Dignity, will go a long way in helping the homeless keep warm and dry during this wet Spring season. Life Changer is also trying to get donations to get 200 Shelterbags onto the streets on Sunday to make a real impact. However, Life Changer co-founder Caroline Holley stresses, this is not a “forever solution”.
In the build up to World Homeless Day, the PHN has printed and distributed 600 green t-shirts asking the question, “Where should I go?”
“By raising awareness, we also hope to raise funds, to either rent, support or even buy a building that will serve as a centre for restoration for the homeless community. What that looks like depends on funds available and partnerships that are formed through this awareness campaign,” PHN explained.
On World Homeless Day on Sunday, the public is invited to join the PHN and Life Changer for a city walk and clean up followed by a lunch where homed people will serve homeless people a warm meal.
The event starts at 11am on Sunday, October 10 at the YMCA centre. The public is welcome to join in and wear green. There are still some green t-shirts from the campaign available. If you would like to purchase some, or to donate towards Life Changer and the PHN campaign, email info@ lifechangersa.org you can also donate through Life Changer’s website: https://www.lifechangersa.org/pmb-shelter
For more information visit: www.lifechangersa.org/ pmb-shelter