CharitySA.co.za - Reach Out - KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Shenston/Ambleton

FOCUS AREA:
"Reach Out" is an organisation that was established with the aim to help children and the elderly who are unable to help themselves. We are based in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and deal mainly with an informal settlement called France. France comprises of Ambleton/Shenstone and Slangspruit. The area has high levels of poverty and unemployment. Many of the children there are AIDS orphans and most of them are forced to fend for themselves.

This informal settlement is situated on the outskirts of the city, off the Richmond Road. Historically, this became the place to move families from troubled areas during the politically tense years. Other families were relocated to France after the devastating floods of 1990. High levels of poverty, unemployment, HIV and AIDS greatly affect this community.

Having worked in France for the past 12 years, we aim to build a Community Facility Centre on recently acquired land from the local Municipality - Site 2886, Ambleton/Shenston. Reach Out has been given a 20-year lease on the land. The Community Facility Centre will cater for child-headed households in particular and will incorporate a Drop-in Centre, soup kitchen, laundromat facilities, a much-needed Child Advocacy Centre and a Clinic which will provide daily health care. Liberty Midlands Mall will be assisting us to erect the first phase of this project, to be completed in February 2010.

WE NEED:
We would like to request that you and your organisation consider partnering us in this venture. The Reach Out project provides a crucial service to the City of Pietermaritzburg and its surrounding communities, addressing the needs of communities whose lives are characterised by abuse and emotional trauma. The project's aim is to meet the urgent needs of our people and provide secure care as a stepping stone to their long-term restoration. We would very much appreciate your support as we continue to serve the people of our country. We desperately need running costs for our organisation, none of the staff members have never received a salary. We also need help with food, clothes and essentials for our people in France informal settlement.