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.
Janique Venter, a fun-loving 4-year-old young girl from Bloemfontein, was diagnosed with stage 3 Neuroblastoma Cancer, at 6 months old.
With this form of cancer, tumours develop from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body.
Thus far, none of the chemotherapy treatments available in South Africa has been effective for Janique, and because of the placement of her tumour, which is on the right side of her neck, surgery would be life-threatening.
Although Janique’s health is rapidly deteriorating as her tumour grows, she doesn’t know the severity of her condition or that she has cancer.
“Janique always has a smile on her face, despite the pain of the many procedures she’s had to endure since she was a baby. We can’t bring ourselves to tell our little one that she has cancer. We tell her that she has a ‘bug’, that Jesus is busy taking away” – says Janique’s mom, Nadia.
To assist the Venter family, Karin Harmse, founder of Arms of Mercy NPC, is on a mission to help Janique get to Burzynski Clinic in Houston, Texas, for gene-targeted therapy through antineoplaston, which has been used to treat neuroblastoma with highly promising results.
Through the launch of crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, Karin is appealing to the public for support, to help cover the cost of the trip to Boston, as well as the treatment, estimated to cost over R750 000, which is Janique’s ‘last chance’.
“Janique has waited for over 15 months for her miracle and time is running out. She is very close to my heart and my heart just can’t bear the pain anymore. Please open your hearts for this cancer warrior who is in dire need of your help and share her story far and wide” – Karin
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/karin-harmse
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/KarinHarmse
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.
7-month-old, Baby Novah De Wet, from Aggeneys, Northern Cape, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 1, a fatal, rare genetic disorder that affects important motor neurons in the body, responsible for movement and muscle development.
The condition which is the most common inherited fatal disease in infants can be treated with a miracle gene therapy drug, Zolgensma, available only in the US, which costs an astronomical R35 Million rand ($2.3 Million).
For a chance to receive the drug for at no cost, Baby Novah has entered the Global Managed Access programme offered by the drug manufacturer, Novartis, which has been established to offer free access to the once-off treatment to 100 patients worldwide per year in countries in which the drug is not yet approved, including South Africa.
With no guarantee that she will be selected as the one of the patients, as the program works with a ‘lottery’ system, the De Wet family have partnered with the Angel Network to launch a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, appealing to the public, and corporations for financial support during this difficult time.
“Hearing that our beautiful child has a life expectancy of just 2-years, is a sentence we just can’t accept, as we stare in our little girl’s eyes. Sleeping in my arms, we promised her we would fight for a happy ending, and that is exactly what we plan to do. While we have a steep mountain to climb, our mission is not impossible, and that is what we need to believe, to save our little supernova” – says Clement.
Novartis has approved a three year payment plan for the drug, if the family can cover the cost of the R17.8 Million ($1.2 Million) deposit, which the campaign hopes to fund.
Since the launch of the campaign, generous donors have already made contributions to the value of R13 000. Funds raised will be paid directly to the relevant institution. Donors will be eligible for Section 18a tax certificates, issued by The Angel Network.
As baby Novah’s condition is extremely progressive, time is of the essence, says her dad, Clement.
“As a family, our dream is that our little girl can live a long, happy and healthy life. We know that with this drug, a bright future awaits our little one. We ask that you hear our hearts, share our story, and donate if you can. You will be saving baby Novah’s life, and heal our family” says Clement.
Baby Novah with her dad, Clement, mom Charene and her big sister Hayleigh
If Baby Novah is selected in the lottery, funds raised will be returned to the donors or used to fund another patient with the same condition.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/baby-novah
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/baby-novah
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.