Helping Hands thanks Dannhauser school for recognising vital community work
Chairperson Farzanah Dookie told the Courier that the organisation strives to make a difference wherever possible.
'We do this through various initiatives. When people in our community face challenges, especially with basic needs like food and water, we step in to help wherever we can,' she explained.
Helping Hands partners with local businesses to source food parcels, which are then repacked into smaller portions to reach more households. The group also receives a nutritious soup mix from 'Reach Out for Hunger', which is served to children on Sundays when no school feeding schemes are available.
Dookie added that the organisation also appeals to churches and other groups for gently-used clothing, school shoes for children, and blankets for the elderly.
'We really appreciate it when people notice our work,' she said. 'It's not an easy task — we aren't funded by any organisation, so we do struggle at times. But with the support of caring people, we manage to help so many who are unemployed, especially given the high joblessness in our community.'
She extended special thanks to the educators and staff of Dannhauser Primary School for their Mandela Day sponsorship.
'Your support means a lot to us, and we look forward to working with you again in future,' she added.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at [email protected]. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Seven-month-old excavation in Fairmount is not forgotten
Johannesburg Water confirmed to the Gazette that the seven-month-old dangerous excavation at Shell Garage in Fairmount was intentionally delayed to ensure thorough checks for potential leaks. The Gazette on August 15 reported that an excavation on the driveway of the Shell Garage in Fairmount was fixed, but the one near a tree was left with exposed pipes. Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala explained, 'The area in question was backfilled on August 8, following the repair of the pipe seven days earlier. The backfilling process was intentionally delayed to ensure thorough checks for any potential leaks, a necessary precaution to confirm the integrity of the repair.' Read more: Open excavation a danger at Observatory intersection Shabalala added that the water entity understood that this may have taken longer than expected, especially given the previous recurrence of bursts in the same section of pipe. To prevent further issues and minimise the risk of additional damage, Johannesburg Water scheduled a full replacement of this section of the pipe, as the bottom part has already been replaced. The spokesperson added that Johannesburg Water remained committed to addressing the situation swiftly and ensuring long-term reliability. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Illegal dumping causes infrastructure damage
Ward 86 councillor Chantelle Fourie-Shawe was alerted to a serious issue involving a burst manhole near the infamous Greymont Bridge on August 7. She stated that the situation has escalated to a public health concern, as raw sewage was reportedly bubbling up and flowing downstream, even reaching private property on Stellenberg Road. 'It's a health hazard and a disgrace.' Read more: Burst manhole spews sewage near Greymont Bridge She emphasised that this incident highlights a troubling reality: The infrastructure in Johannesburg is crumbling before our eyes. 'This is symptomatic of a greater issue in the city regarding the administration's failure to prioritise maintenance and repairs.' Fourie-Shawe expressed her frustration over the deteriorating state of the city's infrastructure, stating that such incidents are a constant reminder of the challenges she faces in her role. Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said the blockage near the Greymont Bridge, which was cleared on August 8, was caused by illegal dumping and the damaging effects of foreign material entering the system. Such materials, like mattresses, rags, fats, oils, grease, and silt, obstruct pipes and damage manholes, leading to significant operational disruptions and the potential for long-term structural harm. Residents reported to the publication that displaced individuals are purposefully putting large objects to clog pipes. Shabalala explained that even something as simple as a mattress can immediately block up to 100% of a pipe's capacity. 'This accumulation of waste creates conditions where rags, grease, and debris get trapped, leading to full blockages. This not only hampers sewage flow but also causes upstream surcharging, which can result in dangerous sewage overflows.' Residents are urged to properly dispose of waste to prevent these costly and harmful consequences for the city's water infrastructure. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Reddam House Waterfall and Curro Waterfall learners step up for self-discovery during winter recess
While many learners were curled up indoors, escaping the winter chill, a determined group of Reddam House Waterfall and Curro Waterfall learners spent their July recess giving back, growing, and getting their hands dirty as part of The President's Award (TPA) residential project . TPA is a globally recognised NPO programme that encourages young people to develop skills, volunteer, stay active, and step outside their comfort zone. It provides a structured framework for learners to formalise their mandatory extracurricular activities, such as skills development, physical activity, and community service. Read more: Michael Sun brings warmth and hope to Kgotso Pre-School with winter donation drive Over five action-packed days, the learners participated in a series of community service initiatives aimed at empowering both the youth and the communities they served. The programme, facilitated by TPA, saw learners work with local NGOs in Midrand – including The Society for Animals in Distress and Friends of Free Wildlife. Vejay Reddy, TPA award leader at Reddam House Waterfall, said tasks ranged from clearing overgrown animal enclosures and restoring a bat aviary, to sorting and cleaning hundreds of dusty birdcages. 'The most heart-warming moment came on day five, when learners woke at 05:00 to prepare Spanish chicken and rice for 300 under-resourced children at the Ivory Park Community Centre. From lighting fires to chopping vegetables and dishing every meal by hand, our students handled it all.' Parents joined in the cooking efforts, adding energy, warmth, and encouragement as meals were served with smiles to the children of Ivory Park. Reddy said the learners gave with heart, and walked away with life lessons they will carry forever. 'The programme was not just about service; it was about self-discovery, teamwork, and real-world impact. Our learners showed resilience, compassion, and leadership.' Grade 11 learner from Reddam House Reya Govender reflected on the experience. 'The goal was to help others, but, in doing so, I learnt so much about myself – how strong I can be, how deeply I care, and how good it feels to give back.' Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
