With the prices of necessities increasing at a rapid pace in South Africa, not only are households feeling the pinch but also non-profit organisations (NPOs) who care for the less fortunate. Bloemfontein Courant spoke to NPOs in the city.
Here they explain how the fuel hikes, electricity prices and grocery prices are affecting them:
Hester Bekker from Guardian and Angel says it is becoming increasingly more difficult to help those in need, as donations are not coming in as before because everyone is struggling. “With the prices of everything increasing we cannot collect and drop off goods anymore like we used to. It has also become difficult for us to assist households with electricity.”
Beacon of Hope’s Moira Abrahams explained that increasing prices have had a huge financial impact on the organisation, its members, and the community. “As an organisation that is currently not being funded we find it extremely difficult to keep up with expenses for fuel, electricity, gas and basic foods.” Abrahams says their main source of income is through fundraising that provides the cash flow to buy fuel, gas, electricity and food. “When the prices of these items increase we are sometimes left destitute and that is when the community suffers as we’re unable to provide them with food.”
Cyndy Bosman from Lebone Village says although they recently were able to convert largely to solar power due to a generous donation from the My School Programme, they are still dependent on donations and funding. “The need in the community is huge and when extra money has to be spent on tariff increases, the direct effect is that fewer people can be helped and fed. Although every imaginable attempt is made to save electricity, it’s challenging in our case as we have children living in Lebone House permanently, as well as the office and administrative sections.”
Maureen Oosthuizen of Genade in Aksie says that the need in the city is huge at present. “People are hungry as many have lost their jobs and it is up to us to give them something to eat.”
Simone Griessel from Angel Arms explains that they definitely feel every increase as this affects their daily expenses. “As we serve Elrich Park, we need to travel to and from there, and with the increase in fuel prices this is difficult. Electricity is another huge expense for us and we can only save so much, as we feed 120 children daily.”
According to Alda Fourie, the spokesperson for Engo Free State, they run 67 offices, centres and houses across the Free State of which 33 are Child and Youth Care Centres, catering for some 800 children daily, who are cared for and transported. Thus, “You can imagine the costs linked to keeping the doors open, especially with the increases in petrol, food and normal living costs. So yes, the increases in living costs do impact Engo in a very big way. As we service close to 200 000 people annually through all our programmes, this is not a small problem to solve.”
She adds that they are doing everything in their power to become more cost efficient. “Therefore we’re looking at installing JoJo tanks and solar panels to limit our basic running costs.”
If you would like to donate to one of these NPOs, please visit their respective Facebook pages for contact details.
Sazly Moses
