HILTON WOMEN HELP REBUILD SA
Two Hilton women, at the forefront of the fast-growing Rebuild SA NPO, united during July’s civil unrest to provide relief to local children’s homes.
Rebuild SA is the brainchild of friends, Sam Rafferty, based in Durban, and Hilton lifestyle and fitness coach, Kelly Stegen. The duo have always been involved in charity work in their respective areas, and when the looting hit KwaZulu-Natal last month, they knew they had to respond.
“We knew we had to step in and help in some way. That’s when we immediately formed our NPO with fellow director, Adre Muller. We were all united with a vision and purpose,” Stegen explained.
Rebuild SA operates as a relief fund for verified NPOs and businesses that have suffered from the economic slump, which has been worsened by the recent looting.
The team decided to recruit ambassadors and influencers to help promote and grow the fund, including Pietermaritzburg blogger, Raeesa Essop, and local businesswoman, May Jeremiah.
At the same time, another Hilton resident and St Anne’s alumnus, Philippa Campbell, had embarked on her own charity drive in response to the unrest.
Campbell, who loves helping people, previously started the successful #Spreadthehope campaign to feed frontline workers at the beginning of this year, raising over R36 000. During the looting, she knew she had to act again.
“I decided to reach out to my community and ask for donations of clothes and toys. I contacted my friend Kelly, who lives in the same estate, and together we started a collection within our estate. I drove around collecting all the donations and, during that time, Kelly asked me to join the Rebuild SA team,” Campbell said.
Together, with the rest of the team, she and Stegen have identified local children’s homes and organisations, and have managed to collect over R100 000 in relief and donations.
To-date, they have assisted Thandi House with boxes of food, clothing and toys; Joseph Baynes Children’s Home where every child received their own toiletry pack, formula and bottle to Pietermaritzburg Child Welfare; and sent a bakkie load of food, vegetables, clothing, toiletries and toys to Greytown Children’s Home.
They have also assisted many individual community members, and numerous local businesses. “I have been blown away by the generosity and kindness of businesses and individuals. The community has been amazing!,” Campbell said.
“I have been so amazed at how generous people are! Knowing we have made a difference in so many lives, and in such a short space of time, is just incredible,” added Stegen.
Rebuild SA is still in need of donations to help local businesses and entrepreneurs get back on their feet, as well as clothing and donations for children.
If anyone is able to assist, please email Kelly Stegen at info@kellystegen.com
Follow @RebuildSA on social media and help spread the word. For more information visit: https://rebuildsafund.com/