CARE PROJECT for droughtstricken farmers’ wives lauded

More than 6 000 farmers’ wives in the drought-stricken areas of South Africa have so far received care packages as part of the Wellington Country Women’s Agricultural Association’s (CWAA) ‘Box for a Farmer’s Wife’ project.

One of the recipients, a farmer’s wife near Williston in the Northern Cape, said in a letter to the CWAA: “As I am writing, the tears are streaming down my face. I feel that my cup is running over. Thank you for doing this for the farmers’ wives.”

According to Juanita Loubser, chairperson of the branch, nearly

6 000 women had received care packages so far. The CWAA received so many packages that some of the recipients were sent two boxes, depending on the size.

Ten thousand boxes had been distributed from Wellington to date, with nearly 3 000 boxes still to be distributed in Limpopo. The distribution of 6 000 boxes stored in Kimberley was well underway at the time of going to print. Thousands of boxes had also been distributed from Bloemfontein.

“The appreciation shown by the women who are living under the most taxing conditions is heart-rending. They are grateful for every item received,” Loubser said. She expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the project. The project was initially aimed at the wives of drought-stricken farmers in the Western Cape, but had since blossomed into a countrywide project of empathy and support, she added.

Loubser said if everything went well, all packages would be distributed before Christmas. She praised all the businesses, individuals, courier services and volunteers who assisted in the distribution process. “What started as a small dream for the CWAA circle in Paarl, now covers all the droughtstricken areas of South Africa. We are thankful and blessed indeed to be part of such an act of goodwill on a national scale,” Loubser said. – Annelie Coleman