Since Monday 11 April 2022, when one of the worst floods in South Africa’s history hit Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, at least 448 individuals were killed, and the damage to property and infrastructure in the region was insurmountable.
In the wake of the destruction brought about by the persistent heavy rain the province has been experiencing, non-profit organisation, The Gift of the Givers says they have been inundated with distressing calls from individuals in need of assistance, as well as corporates wanting to lend their support to stricken communities.
To assist the needy, The Gift of the Givers has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, for those locally and abroad wanting to lend their support to struggling communities during this distressing time.
Funds raised will be used to provide hot meals, blankets, bottled water, warm clothes, sanitary pads and diapers for those in low lying areas who have lost their material possessions.
As the need arises, funds will also be used to supply communities with food parcels, school uniforms, stationery, and building materials to help repair damaged school infrastructure.
“The need of the hour is huge with massive damages to roads, highways turned into rivers, shipping containers floating on the N2, retaining walls collapsed with people trapped underneath, cars have been washed away, debris and trees blocking roads, people can’t get to work, health facilities had to reduce services, religious institutions, as well as many homes, have been damaged, electrical infrastructure is non-functional aggravating load shedding, streams have become raging rivers, people have lost their lives. Those making it to work have to carry extra shoes and socks as they walk through streams to get to transport that in turn has to negotiate high levels of water on roads.” – says Dr Imtiaz Sooliman
Donors are eligible for Section 18a tax-deductible certificates, issued by The Gift of The Givers, on request.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R319 Million.
Selina Kokolosi (47), a grandmother from Potchefstroom, Northwest Province, who works as a domestic worker, was attacked and grievously mauled by her employer’s three pit bulls on 25 January 2022.
The dogs, which are ordinarily locked away when Selina arrives for work, brutally attacked her as she entered the home, shredding her skin.
The attack was so severe that it alerted the neighbours, who put themselves at risk to help Selina, who lay lifeless on the floor in critical condition,
To save Selina’s life, she was rushed to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto and placed in the intensive care unit, where she spent several weeks, until she was finally discharged on 11 March 2022.
The injuries Selina has sustained are difficult to comprehend. Both her ears, her top lip, and parts of her nose were completely ripped away. Her legs, thighs and hands were also targeted by the hounds.
As a result of the traumatic ordeal Selina says has ‘destroyed’ her life, she has lost vision in her right eye, and without assistance, tasks such as simple eating have become extremely difficult.
Besides her physical injuries, for which she has already undergone several surgeries, and skin graft procedures, Selina is experiencing emotional pain, as she is ‘unrecognisable’ to her loved ones, particularly her beloved grandchildren.
“I may have survived death, but sadly, I now have to live with the fact that I am not the person my grandchildren knew. They fear being around me, they cry when they see me because they do not believe that I am their grandmother.
“The young ones who used to love me are struggling to accept me because the grandmother they knew had ears, lips, nose and looked like other human beings. Now I look completely different”
In recent months, Dr Bruce Lelala, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Johannesburg, who has been assisting Selina with her extensive injuries, says her body tissue in the wounded areas are effectively dying off, and that she is in need of an urgent surgical procedure that could cost millions.
Dr Bruce Lelala with Selina Kokolosi.
“She has suffered a chronic non-healing wound on the right lower limb over the Achilles tendon, and extensive large defects on the bones in her legs. The patient also has some degree of lymphedema (accumulation of rich fluid from the body’s lymph system),” said Lelala.
After reading Selina’s story, a Johannesburg woman, Alma McGill, launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to assist Selina with the cost of her upcoming reconstructive surgeries, rehabilitation, and other expenses that she may incur.
Since the launch of the campaign more than 130 donors have made contributions to the value of R55 000, which has been a great help to the family who is struggling to cover their mounting medical bills, and transportation costs to and from the Hospital.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/dupuo-kokolisi
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/SelinaKokolosi
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R313 Million.
The Issy Geshen Lamont Home for the Aged situated in the Lamontville township in Durban, South Africa, cares for the physical, emotional and social needs of 69 frail elderly residents from extremely disadvantaged communities.
Pictured above, Gogo Guma, a legendary resident of the home, passed away in February 2022 at the age of 102, after many golden years spent at the home.
In recent months, due to the rising cost of living standards, and increased medical costs, the non-profit organisation, which is a haven for many old folks who have been neglected or abused, is facing financial challenges.
Reaching out to businesses, individuals, faith-based organisations, and the general public to help cover one of the most expensive line items the home faces, disposable nappies, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched on BackaBuddy. The campaign hopes to cover the home’s nappy costs for the next 3 months.
Mr. Guy Levene, Chairperson of the Issy Geshen Lamont Home for the Aged said,
“More than 70% of the frail elders are reliant on disposable adult nappies, which come at a significant cost – one of the home’s highest expenses after food and salaries. The home spends approximately R20 000 per month on disposable nappies.”
Incontinence represents many of the challenges facing frail elderly, and the failure of civil society and government to adequately support this vulnerable group.
Many elders who have disabilities, have suffered strokes or are living with chronic health issues such as diabetes may have reduced control of their bladder and bowel movements.
“The elderly living with such needs and disabilities are denied their most basic human right when their sanitary needs are not adequately provided for with nappies. Many disabilities cause incontinence and when something as essential as a nappy is missing from an elder’s care, it compromises their health, dignity, comfort, and freedom, and undermines their value in society,” added Levene.
The Dignity drive aims to encourage support and donations of adult nappies from local and national businesses, communities and individuals, to increase society’s knowledge and understanding of incontinent issues, including human rights of the elderly, using the Dignity-nappy drive as the theme for the campaign.
The Issy Geshen Lamont Home for the Aged was founded in 1960 by Mr Geshen and a group of volunteers – the Home was established to meet the need of vulnerable, homeless, disabled and needy pensioners in Lamontville.
Since its inception, the Home has provided and continues to provide comprehensive and holistic services and care to frail elders. For varying reasons, black African elders cannot live with family, are alone or cannot care for themselves.
The Home was officially registered as an old-age facility in 1980 to qualify for a government subsidy and acquire a state doctor’s services.
The Home provides accommodation, nutritious meals, medical care, and 24-hour quality care to elders over the age of 60 years.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R314 Million.
Sarah Ferguson, an ultra-distance swimmer from South Africa, has completed an incredible 516.49km of the 1 500km One Ocean Swim from her home town of Durban through to Cape Town.
However, without further donations towards her plastic pollution awareness campaign, Ferguson will have put her dream of achieving this unmatched feat, within a year, on hold.
“I started this journey to alert people to the realities of plastic pollution and show people what can be done to tackle this global problem,” explained the founder of NPO, Breathe Conservation.
“I’m swimming through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to showcase the incredible coastline we enjoy in South Africa, and am stopping along the way to engage with local communities about ocean conservation and beach clean-up initiatives.”
Ferguson embarked on this adventure on Monday, 21 February from Durban Undersea Club (DUC) and is being accompanied by a team of supporters who are monitoring her progress.
She is swimming the distance in stages, aiming for four-to-five-hour swims at a time with rest days every so often. Throughout every stage, Ferguson is actively documenting the experience in videos and infographics which are being shared online.
Stats include the distances covered per day, the weather, water quality, number of strokes, marine creatures she’s encountered – and the plastic count.
While Sarah’s enjoyed significant encounters with numerous marine life – gannet, hammerhead shark, dolphins and orange jellyfish among them – as well as positive engagements with welcoming communities, the journey is not without its challenges. Some of these include water visibility, as well as rapidly decreasing water temperatures the closer she gets to Cape Town.
Sarah Ferguson (Plastic Oceans)
However, Ferguson is no stranger to challenging adventures. In 2019, she became the first person to swim around Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and, in 2017 she made history by becoming the first woman from the African continent to complete the 46km Kai’wi Channel between the Hawaiian islands of Oahu and Molokai.
“We have officially finished the first major stage of our One Ocean Swim, and what a ride it’s been! I managed the last 10km in cooler 23-degree water in 2 hours about 3km off the back line before jumping in the boat to meet the most incredible crew from East London. We were given a massive welcome with hot showers and hot chocolate before heading to our home base.
“I am incredibly overwhelmed by the support and love and donations of food, cash, accommodation and encouragement on this journey. It’s been a crazy wild ride but we are here and hope to keep going as soon as possible. Thank you is not enough!”
Ferguson and her One Ocean Swim team are reliant on the generosity of conservation-minded sponsors to complete this epic journey.
Speaking on 5 April 2022, Ferguson said:
“Yesterday was our last day of swimming unless we get more funding. The team and I have given everything we have to get this far and want nothing more than to get to Mossel Bay by May. We are doing this for the ocean, not for ourselves.”
Sarah Ferguson (Plastic Oceans)
Ferguson and her One Ocean Swim team are reliant on the generosity of conservation-minded sponsors to complete this epic journey.
The team is aiming to raise around R3 million on BackaBuddy, which will cover all relevant costs to get to Cape Town, as well as funding for educational talks to communities between June and November.
Since the launch of the campaign, over R70 000 has been raised with kind contributions from 67 donors both locally and internationally.
www.backabuddy.co.za/breathe-fundraiser
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/OneOceanSwim
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R312 Million.
On Friday, Victor du Plessis, 35, sadly passed away due to multiple organ failures after he suffered from various incurable diseases.
Marlene Mans (52) a single mom from Rustenburg, Johannesburg, has dedicated her entire life to caring for her son, Victor du Plessis (35), who was born with special needs.
For as long as Marlene can remember life has been a struggle for her son, who has lived between home and the hospital since he was born.
Always fighting an infection, Victor’s symptoms needed to be monitored closely to avoid devastating consequences.
“When the nurses handed Victor to me when he was just minutes old, I stared into his eyes, and unknowingly gave him the most appropriate name. A ‘victor’ is someone who has overcome an adversary. Considering the battles he’s fought and conquered, it’s a perfect fit” – says Marlene
In his lifetime, Victor has suffered 3 strokes, battled diabetes, epilepsy, bleeding on the brain, and a multitude of rare, incurable diseases. Contracting Covid-19 last year, Marlene says they almost had to say their goodbyes.
“Many times doctors gave up on Victor and told us there is little hope, but every single time our Vicky has pulled through. He’s a champion” – says Marlene
“Of all Victor’s conditions and ailments, this was perhaps one of the hardest to come to terms with. I can’t picture a day when Victor might not recognize me, his sister Vianca, and his nurses who have become an extended part of our family. We all love our little teddy bear” – says Marlene
As Victor was wheelchair-bound, struggled to eat and drink as a result of his brain function and was reliant on a permanent catheter, he needed around the clock care and a top tier medical aid.
Marlene said that without her daughter, Vianca (32), who has lovingly sacrificed her independence, and much of her salary every month to care for her big brother, she doesn’t know how they would have made it this far.
“Vianca is the most selfless person I have ever met. She has been with me every step of the way, and in many ways is Victor’s second mom. She takes him everywhere she goes, shaves him, bathes him and checks up on him. This she does out of pure love, not an obligation” – says Marlene
Victor with his little sister, Vianca
As Victor’s medical needs were extensive, his medical aid was often exhausted at critical times, and Marlene and Vianca were often unprepared for burdening co-payments.
Reaching out to the public for support, Marlene, who had taken a second job as a sales rep to care for her son, launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to help cover Victor’s medical needs which costed about R10 500 a month.
“With Victor’s chronic medication, specialist visits, daycare and dietary needs, his medical expenses are a mountain we try to conquer every month. It’s been difficult physically, emotionally, and financially” says Marlene
While no stranger to hard work and late nights, Marlene says she didn’t picture working this hard at her age to care for her son, but says “it’s what any mom would do”.
“No matter how stressed our situation becomes, it’s all worth it when Victor comes back from the clinic with a paper flower he’s made and a beaming smile on his face. I always say God has put us on this path for a reason, to teach us patience and humility”
It is with sadness in our heart that we say goodbye to our little sunshine boy. Vicky past away on the 8th of July at 16h00 as a result of multiple organ failure.We would like to thank everyone that ever donated towards this fundraising campaign and followed our journey.
We would like to thank Zane and maroela media who went out of their way in supporting is and made our journey a little bit easier. Vicky was a great warrior but in the end he died with peace and love on his little face.
May his life always be an example to others, of never giving up. Rest in peace our little warrior.You will be loved always.
If you would like to attend Victor’s funeral Tuesday, 19th July 2022, at 10h45, please meet at Moepelstraat Rustenburg Oak Proteapark.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R314 Million.