Doctors come to town to raise funds

As part of their three-week tour around the Eastern Cape Province, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, or MSF) together with the Face to Face fund-raising team held an exhibition during the Festival where they showcased and raised awareness about the humanitarian work they do.

This international NGO fund-raising tour started off in East London from last month and their next and final stop after the Festival will be in Port Elizabeth.

Fund-raisers said the main objective of the NGO was to provide healthcare to people affected by natural disasters, conflict or healthcare exclu- sion. Since their arrival in the province two weeks ago, they had received great financial support.

“The aim of the NGO is to help people regardless of their gender, race or beliefs and the support so far has been good,” MSF organisers said.

This exhibition, which was held at Eden Grove, displayed the physical aspects of a refugee, which helped festival-goers and Grahamstown residents understand the challenges and tormenting experiences of people forced to leave their homes to seek refuge across borders.

MSF Southern Africa’s fund-raising travel teams coordinator, Kelly Burlow said not only was it important that people know and understand the reality of refugees and conflict victims, but they also need to acknowledge the fieldworkers’ efforts worldwide.

“Having MSF supporters touch or even taste the very tools we use in actual refugee camps enables them to experience our work first-hand,” she said.

National Face to Face CoOrdinator, Carli Snyman said 50 percent of the proceeds go to African countries because they are the ones affected most by these disasters and healthcare challenges.

For more information or to make a donation, visit www. msf.co.za