HUM A NI TA RI A N REL IEF
FOR HUMANITY The humanitarian work of Gift of the Givers relies hugely on funding from corporates and individuals, writes TREVOR CRIGHTON
F
ounded by Dr Imtiaz Sooliman in 1992, Gift of the Givers has provided food, shelter and aid to millions of people in Africa and beyond. It has also established hospitals, created agricultural schemes, dug wells, built houses, manufactured energy food, renovated fishing boats and runs clinics and provides scholarships. Corporate relations manager Badrealam Kazi says that the organisation is driven to doing what needs to be done to help people in the face of disaster and challenges. “In the case of COVID-19, it was clear that a broad front in terms of disaster management had to be launched, encompassing medical and humanitarian relief,” he says. He says that COVID-19 has made the organisation think even further out of the box than usual. “It has been a wakeup call for corporates and governments. Our major challenge is not so much on the health side, but on the humanitarian side. South Africa was already suffering the effects of the worst drought in modern history, a crippled farming sector and high levels of unemployment before
“Our major challenge is not so much on the health side, but on the humanitarian side.” – Badrealam Kazi,
corporate relations manager, Gift of the Givers 14
the virus arrived. The government restrictions just pushed those already on the precipice over it.” Kazi says that the trickle-down effects of lockdown have affected everyone – especially in a country where one breadwinner supports an exponential network of family and friends – and have yet to be measured. “As government and the Department of Social Development try to set up structures to get more people into the social welfare net, many are still depending on NGOs for aid – and that’s where we and our fellow organisations come in.”
ALL SUPPORT WELCOMED Gift of the Givers relies on funding to help keep its work going. Kazi says a donation by Engen of R2-million worth of fuel annually over the
GET INVOLVED There are myriad ways to support the Gift of the Givers’ work. Many people run crowdfunding campaigns for specific causes operated by Gift of the Givers, but it’s also possible to make general donations via direct bank transfer, online, MasterPass, MTN MOMO SA, MySchool and Shoprite. Visit giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference/ or call 0800 786 911 (toll-free) for more details.
next three years has significantly boosted the organisation’s logistical capacity and allowed it to access areas previously excluded due to prohibitive costs. Speaking at the handover in February 2020, Engen chairman Dato Sri Syed Zainal Abidin said: “Engen is firmly committed to investing in sustainable development initiatives that offer tangible value to the communities in which we operate. Given the wide reach and incredible national relief efforts of the Gift of the Givers, Engen sees much value in this partnership.” Kazi says that all support is useful, whether financial or in kind. “Many corporates give us food to distribute – Massmart and Shoprite give us good, high-value items to put into packs and Engen’s donation allows us to marry the various cash and kind donations to deliver a more efficient intervention,” he says. However, Kazi stresses the need for developing a sustainable assistance system. “We don’t know how long COVID-19 is going to be here, but we do know that our partners and supporters don’t have bottomless pockets. We’re looking at ways to encourage and support communities in establishing potable water systems and growing fruit and vegetables,” says Kazi. “Many people on the ground are being proactive and trying to uplift their communities while help is coming from corporates and NGOs. Most NGOs are stretched extremely thin and doing all they can to simply keep their doors open in the hope of continuing to assist people.” He says there is no question that government and NGOs need to combine resources to tackle COVID-19-related issues – and those that existed before. “We must work together – no single entity has the resources or capacity to reach every South African who needs help. Fortunately, we have an excellent relationship with government and our other partners in the NGO space, and we’ll continue to work together for the greater good.”
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A HELPING HAND
Food parcels are delivered to residents of communities in need.
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