PASSION PROJECT’S POSITIVE IMPACT IN PMB
Jade le Roux
Apassion for helping their community led local mother-and-son team, Zane Groenewald and Theresa Pienaar, to start an organisation that creates awareness around good causes, social issues and crowdfunding campaigns.
Founded in 2018, Porky’s People, has raised over R118 000 to date for various projects and fundraising campaigns. “We are passionate about helping people and connecting with like-minded individuals who want to do good and make the world a better place. We are also interested in creating awareness around good causes,” explained Groenewald, who is the head of public relations/ marketing at the online crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy.
Groenewald said he was able to use his experience working in fundraising to help his mother pursue her passion for helping people around her. “My mom (Pienaar) has always lent a helping hand. I was able to use my experience in the charity space to allow her to do this more effectively. After volunteering at a charity event in Ashburton, we both decided we would like to team up and spread as much goodwill as we can,” he said.
Pienaar is a driving instructor, and owner of Theresa’s Driving School in Pietermaritzburg, but Porky’s People is her and Zane’s “passion project” they run together. Theresa’s nickname is ‘Porky’.
Over and above the many BackaBuddy campaigns they help to raise funds for, Porky’s People is focused on feeding vulnerable families in and around Pietermaritzburg, including Oribi Village and Northdale. It relies on donations and sponsorships from supermarkets and businesses for these feeding schemes, delivering 200 loaves of bread to hungry families every week.
“We have been able to assist a number of schools, old age homes and churches, particularly during lockdown. We also collect donated clothes, and mend then if necessary, and give them to people in need. With donations, we also support other local charities and initiatives, such as African Spirit, PMB Outreach, Monica Recycling,” Groenewald explained.
As the need arises, Porky’s People launches its own crowdfunding campaigns on BackaBuddy to raise funds for its charities.
Some of the successful campaigns Porky’s People has been involved in include raising over R14 000 in food vouchers that fed 60 families in Pietermaritzburg during lockdown; in December last year, they launched a Christmas campaign for Thandi House – a home for neglected or abused children – which resulted in 25 children receiving a special Christmas present. Porky’s People also raised over R26 000 for local Niqi During’s cystic fibrosis treatment, as part of her BackaBuddy campaign. Niqi put up a brave and resilient fight, but sadly succumbed to her sickness in December last year.
Porky’s People also launched a fundraising campaign for Cleland local, Johan Doubell, who was run over by a bakkie while volunteering at the Comrades Marathon near Polly Shorts in 2018. The charity managed to raise over R29 000 for his treatment.
Porky’s People also supports social causes, such as anti genderbased violence campaigns. “We also encourage our readers to sign up to become bone marrow donors, organ donors, and donate blood to the SANBS,” said Groenewald, adding while he works for BackaBuddy in his professional capacity, Porky’s People is not formally linked to BackaBuddy.
“We do however believe in the work that BackaBuddy does and are inspired by their stories and the work they do, and hope more people can learn about crowdfunding so they too can help others through the platform,” he said.
They welcome donations of food or unwanted clothing items, if anyone is able to assist, WhatsApp: 066 586 4346.
To see the great work Porky’s People do, and hear more of their stories, visit their Facebook page: Porky’s People, or their website: www.porkyspeople.com