Local volunteers in Gauteng - December Report

Part 1 - Community Outreach

On the 23rd December 2014, Tzu Chi volunteers, Felize Mazibuko, Nelisiwe Sithebe, Thandeka Mabizela and Newman Nkosi, decided to lend a helping towards the disadvantaged within their communities, such as the unemployed as well as families without breadwinners. The volunteers wanted to gift these families with the experience of a prosperous and happy Christmas by providing relief in the form of love and care as well as distributing rice to curb any hunger strikes during the holiday season.

- by Newman Nkosi -

Photo by: Newman Nkosi

Photo by: Newman Nkosi

Buyani Zwane (left) is an 18-year-old boy living alone after his mother passed away in October. Despite the difficulties of staying by himself, he remained in his home due to his preparations in writing his Grade 11 year-end examinations. His other family members live in a distant area and only give empty promises in helping to provide food for Buyani. Occasionally, Buyani receives aid from the community church members, however this aid is also limited due to the lengthy travelling distance between his home and the church. After hearing about Buyani's story, the local Tzu Chi volunteers decided to assist him in providing relief in the form of regular visits and food. 

Photo by: Newman Nkosi

The second family the local Tzu Chi volunteers visited (right) consisted of a single mother, Thokozile Mbatha, and her child that she is currently supporting through grant money. She receives some commission through work she performs in her community such as cleaning, laundry and selling wood she regularly collects. The wood, however, proves difficult to sell resulting in little income for her and her child. 

Photo by: Newman Nksoi

Zwakhe Mzima (left) was the second aid recipient the local Tzu Chi volunteers visited. He is a 40-year-old man residing alone. He is sick with an unknown disease which results in him finding difficulty in securing a job. Before he was diagnosed, he was working in a factory but, even then, he faced many struggles with the employers constantly refusing to give him his pay. 

Photo by: Newman Nksoi

The fourth family consisted of a single mother, Thabisile Kunene (right). She is currently living alone as her child was taken in by social workers due to the fact that the child was disabled and required intensive care and support that her mother was unable to provide at the time. Thabisile is currently unemployed and trying to obtain income through temporary jobs that she comes across within her community. 

Part 2 - Recycling Initiative

On the 27th December 2014, local Tzu Chi volunteers, Fezile Mazibuko, Nelisiwe Sithebe, Thandeka Mabizela, Siphiwe Makhaza and Newman Nkosi, decided to promote the importance of recycling by gathering people in their community to sort, pack and organise plastic bottles which would then be collected by the recycling vehicle. They filled their materials on hand such as plastic bags and tires with the plastic bottles for easy collection.

Photo by: Newman Nksoi

Photo by: Newman Nksoi

Photo by: Newman Nksoi