Tzu Chi Volunteers in Redhill - April Report

Before and during the month of April 2014, local Tzu Chi volunteers in Redhill conducted various community projects in their area. 

- by Newman Mzamo -

- edited by Joanne Lan -

Photo by: Newman Mzamo

On the 28th March 2014, the local volunteers of Redhill conducted a handiwork seminar for the women of their community. It was a chance for them to spread the seed of love by introducing the participants to Tzu Chi in hopes of encouraging them to join their cause. It was also an opportunity for the participants to gain new skills that will ultimately help them in supporting themselves in the future as many live alone and no longer have a breadwinner within their household. 

Photo by: Newman Mzamo

On Wednesday, the 2nd April 2014, volunteers attended a local health seminar for adults and children infected with HIV/AIDS. Different speakers from the Department of Health were present with the local Tzu Chi volunteers joining the team. The volunteers used the opportunity to donate clothes for the children and also to introduce the audience to Tzu Chi Foundation and our missions. The introduction included their community projects, how Tzu Chi aims to help all those in need and how those willing to help through donations and volunteer work are always welcome.

On Tuesday, the 15th April 2014, the local volunteers organised a meeting in town regarding their current community projects. The discussion included the decision of opening a soup kitchen that will support many of the starving children within the community, the idea of encouraging more people in the area to plant their own vegetable garden and the organisation of transport in attending the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.

After the meeting, the local volunteers headed straight to their home visits in Rosboom. 

Photo by: Newman Mzamo

The first visit was at the home of Hlatshwayo, a single mother living with her 16-year-old daughter and 10-month-old grandchild. No one in the fanily is employed; the mother at age 50 cannot yet receive a pension fund and the daughter under the age of 18 years cannot yet receive a grant. They currently support themselves with a vegetable garden that they regularly maintain. After the visit, sister Haltshwayo was inspired by Tzu Chi to help others and donated one of her self-grown pumpkins for the volunteers to take to the Cresh for sister Mavis to cook for the children. 

Photo by: Newman Mzamo

The second visit was at the home of a single father of five; sadly the mother, who was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, passed away 2 years ago. The five children are also infected with HIV/AIDS and are currently taking ARV medication regularly. The father is unemployed having recently lost his job and the family is being supported by the grants received for the 3 children who are under the age of 18 years. The other two children who are above 18 years of age are still at school due to being affected by the deteriorating situation at home, resulting in them being held back two years. The father informed the Tzu Chi volunteers that they sometimes receive food from the local church in the area as the funds they are currently receiving is not enough to support all of them.