Let down by a food bank

We're not all facing the same issues during Covid-19 but we're all noticing how the cost of a supermarket shop has increased. Many are struggling to get online deliveries secured for those who are shielding, the vulnerable and front line workers. Many people have been furloughed, with a 20% drop in salary, the self employed and many others have no income and are struggling to work out how they're going to feed themselves and their family with no income coming in at all. More and more people are reaching out for support.

A fellow blogger has had to ask for help from her local food bank last week, a food bank that she regularly donates to throughout the year.

Here is her story:

This week I have had one of my most horrible experiences of my life and a very low point when I asked a Church based food bank for a donation which ended up with the leader telling me he was removing me from the list.
Let me tell you my story. Not a sob story, just putting my anger into words, they say it is therapeutic.
I like a lot of people have been struggling to make ends lately. Income is down, over time is none existent, and I have been struggling to put food on my table. I don’t drink, don’t smoke, and am very good at eeking out a budget and making meals out of not a lot. I am use to living hand to mouth and it does not worry me.
But over the weekend I realised I was not going to make it to my next Universal Credit pay day and decided to reach out to a food bank. I chose the one I did as I have been in contact with this particular organisation as they run a community food shop. I had been using the shop since about October as I was off work due to a reaction to something I had eaten, I have food allergies, carry epi pens for them, which caused inflammation in my joints and left me unable to use my hands and arms and caused excruciating pain. I was not expecting it to take so long to settle but ended up off work for five months. Using that shop, where you pay a nominal fee every week, choose ten items, two from the freezer and then tins, pasta, lentils, cereals to make up the tem. Then you can take as much bread, fruit, veg, eggs, cheese, none dairy milk on top for free, this has made a massive difference to me be able to eat and utilising this food and topping it up with odds and ends from shops. I had built up quite a lot of food in the cupboards by buying this every week. When lockdown happened they decided as it is volunteer run to close the shop. I got a phone call from them at that time saying they would be running a food bank and I was just to phone any time I needed and they would arrange to get a food parcel sent out. The woman was lovely, telling me as I used the shop weekly not to hesitate at any time and I could get a parcel any time I needed one.
So on Monday I made contact with them, by email, so they would have a list of my food allergies on file. I got a phone call back from one of their handlers, had to answer a few questions, went over my food allergies again and she told me they would get food out to me. So far so good. I then got another phone call just before three to explain that as they hand out pre made meals cooked on their own premises fresh every day they could not provide me with any of these meals as it seemed l every one of them contained something I could not take. I was not surprised by this as it is quite a large list. They agreed to bring me out a few basics to do me for Monday night and would make meals for me on Tuesday and deliver them. I did suggest if they sent me some fruit and veg and meat of some sort I could cook my own, but they said that is not how they work, so I agreed to have meals sent out the next day. On Monday night I got a tub of soup, a loaf, a box of cereals, some potatoes, a bottle of diluting juice, a bottle of coke and a bag of sweets. Enough to tide me over 24 hrs.
Tuesday came and went and nothing appeared. Tuesday night we used the potatoes so we did not go hungry. So I private messaged them and asked what had happened as I had not received anything. Somebody came back to me on Wednesday and said they were having trouble sourcing products to give me and were still trying, and they hoped to get something out to me later.
I made the decision at this point that I would be better asking another food bank for help as every other food bank I have ever donated to, (never actually used one before, and it is something I
normal do regularly including every Christmas when I collect from friends, neighbours, colleagues etc ), hands out tins and packets and that would make sure I got something rather than risk getting nothing again. So I informed them, nicely, what I was going to do, as I did not want to ask another one and then the first bank turn up and me to receive food from two places that just seemed a bit immoral in my book.
This is where it went wrong. The leader than runs the organisation sent me a message. This message was tantamount to bullying, accusing me of not appreciating how hard his team works, and “it’s clear they are not working hard enough for you” That my messages make him sad, not from the point I needed to message to ask where my parcel and that they had let me down, but because I had messaged them. In my book a phone call on Tuesday to say they had not sourced anything for me would have been appreciated and that they were still trying.
He then proceeds to tell me they were removing me from their list so I can’t ask again in the future.
Next off he asks me to “ pause for a moment to encourage you to remember that you never know what anyone one else is facing” . Well sorry but as somebody that has just asked a food bank for a donation my own life has hit rock bottom and that is what his organisation is there for, not to make me feel bad that I am taking food from people who may need it more than me. Asking a food bank for a donation is something I found demoralising and embarrassing and not something I relished doing but to get this sort of reaction made me feel I am not worthy or deserving – was not expecting a church run organisation to make me feel like I don’t matter.
I then told him I was not going to grovel to him for food, they had not supplied me yesterday and may not be able to again today, I did not want to find myself repeating this all the next morning, I was going elsewhere, at which point he accuses me of making nonsense allegations….I had not made any allegations at all, just asked where my food was and then informed them not to deliver me anything as would ask somebody else.
I have to add this is not the first time I have had an issue with these same people. They were doing Christmas Hampers last year; anybody using the shop was entitled to one, so I applied for one. At this point I was waiting on my first UC payment ( my fault for not claiming earlier) and thought some extra food would be very handy. So I asked for one, and was told yes I qualified and they would add me to the list. Got a text to say it was coming out on a specific date, we waited did not turn up, messaged them and was promised it again, still nothing second time. Third time it was being sent out by a private driver, but apparently could not find my house; then fourth time still did not turn up. By now it is Christmas Eve and the leader then comes back and admits it had not been sent out as they did not think I needed it…..and that it had never been sent out……a Christian organisation that lied over sending out a parcel….without knowing anything about me or my circumstances. They relented at 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve and told me I could drive into the town and pick one up as he was still at the office. But by then I had taken pain killers, nerve block tablets and a sleeping tablet and there was no way I could safely drive. Have to wonder how this person sleeps at night.

How the Mike Bolhuis flamingo project is also supporting vulnerable children in South Africa.

I came across Mike Bolhuis and the Flamingo Project through a friend in South Africa. I’m here for 2 weeks working with volunteers who support children’s charities year-round. When I’m not in South Africa I work behind the scenes, promoting, fund raising and online support. You can read about my last visit in December 2018, supporting a Christmas Charity.

After recent droughts in South Africa Mike took it upon himself to try and rescue hundreds of dehydrated and starving flamingo chicks, which hatched back in February in Kamfersdam, Kimberley.

Photo Credit

These chicks have now been released back into their natural habitat, but Mike was left with 100’s of teddy bears the public had donated for the flamingo chicks to snuggle up to, to keep warm and to play with.

I spoke to Mike this week to thank him for the teddy bears, which are now washed, repaired and waiting to be rehoused to 300 vulnerable children living in poverty or in orphanages in and around Pretoria.

You can read more about Mike’s Flamingo rescue on his face book page.

Flamingoes are one of my favourite birds and I often visit Ras Al Khor bird santuary where I live in Dubai and I went in search of the flamingoes in the Western Cape in July 2015.

I'm, pleased Mike and the volunteers have been successful with their project, just a shame I didn't arrive earlier and I could have volunteered.

Supporting Children living in poverty in South Africa

I spent 4 years living in South Africa and have been back many times to visit the charities I worked 
with when we lived there.

There are numerous charities in South Africa supporting children living in poverty in many different ways.

The Viva Foundation who supply affordable education and support the local community with a 
variety of projects. Including camping in a township, taking part in an arts project.

Dignity Dreams providing women with washable and reusable sanitary products. I reviewed them.

Santa Shoebox Project collect and distribute 110,000 Christmas gifts throughout the country each 
year. My Santa Shoebox journey.

Kungwini Welfare Organisation provide residential care for adults and children with learning 
difficulties, as well as providing education in their local community. I first started making scarves 
with them in 2014 raising funds for supplies for the workshop

I'm back in South Africa in September 2018. I've funded my own trip and will be staying with friends as I've done previously, since we relocated to Dubai.

What I'll be doing as well as visiting and supporting Kungwini and Santa Shoebox is to visit the 
children in the townships that I've met through these organisations over the years and bring a little  
extra happiness into their lives.

This could be through painting a classroom, holding a birthday party, donating toiletries and or 
educational supplies and I'd like you to help me succeed by donating £5 in exchange for a handmade scarf. That's it, that's all you have to do, just visit my PayPal account and donate.

In exchange for your £5, I'll select a scarf at random that I've made and post it to you. I'll tweet out a 
thank you, post the total amount raised, provide invoices and post photos online (with permission) of 
the children who have received your donation. Every penny raised will be spent directly on children 
living in poverty.

Visit my Paypal account, donate and then message me with your address on:

Twitter Facebook Instagram

Making dog beds for rescues from donations

Bob is a rescue dog, from South Africa, we brought him with us to Dubai and he's been a part of our family since May 2012. Over the past few months we've fostered 2 pit bulls, both have found their forever homes now and I've really enjoyed playing a part in this, however, Peter hasn't been keen on the process and the mess and the chewing, so for now that has to stop. We're also both out the house for 6-8 hours every day and while Bob is fine on his own, the foster dogs haven't been and it's meant rearranging furniture and turning our conservatory into a kennel.

So I took to social media to ask for people to donate their old bedding and curtains and towels so I can make dog beds, to make the rescue dogs lives a little easier and save on costs for those who rescue them. 

The response has been overwhelming and I'm turning these donations into beds right now as in the first photo.

This post was written on October 1st. I'll show you the beds and their new homes in  Animal Tales linky on November 14th. Since then the donations have doubled and I've had to say enough or I'll never get these beds made.

Do you remember the story of Bonnie and Clyde? Well the good news is that Clyde's foster parents felt so bad about returning Clyde that they drove 120km the following morning to pick him back up and make him part of their family.

The next Animal tales linky is November 8th and I'll be joining in with Soft Play for Dogs. You can almost see the look on Peter's face when we got there.

Supporting vulnerable adults and children in South Africa.

Before moving to Dubai, I lived in Pretoria, South Africa for 4 years. There I worked with 3 charities/organisations supporting educational projects in rural areas and in townships across the region.

I was back in SA July 2^nd – July 10^th to work with these charities/organisations and I was hoping one or two of you would like to support the work I do.

The Santa Shoebox Project is a country wide organisation and collects and distributes over 100,000 gifts every year to the most vulnerable children. In Pretoria I worked with a team who provided over 50,000 gifts over a 5 year period.  For AED 50 you can buy a gift for a boy or a girl aged 0 - 18. Sadly I won't be able to support them with collection, checking and delivering the boxes this year as that takes place end of October, early November. But I am spending a week there in July to sort the storage unit out, do some marketing and collect donations, ready for drop off. Last year I had sponsorship from Ford and worked with KFC and other national companies.

 The Pretoria Volunteers

 Each shoebox is packed for an individual child

 The hats my MIL knitted for Njabulo Child Care facility

Out in Soshanguve delivering gifts November 2015

The Viva Foundation provides rape support and counselling as well as running several educational centres in South Africa, including a school in Kildare, an hours drive west of Kruger National Park that I sourced donations for, they provide support for orphaned and vulnerable children in the Alaskan Informal Settlement and arrange family days to build communities, fund birthday parties and provide training to help people get into employment. One of their community projects is an annual Art's festival. I was involved with the education side, teaching and training and sourcing educational supplies.

There is little, if any, government funding for these projects and they rely almost on public donations, volunteers and cooperate sponsorship.

I fund raise and raise awareness year round for the above causes and I'm hoping a few of you would like to make a financial donation for this years trip. I paid my own flights and I stayed with friends. I'm looking for donations to support educational supplies, even if it's just your loose change, it will go a long way with the current exchange rate. I will provide you with receipts and photos of the children who receive your donations.

Please let me know if you would be interested in making a financial donation or click here for paypal.

Below are some of the blog posts I've written, with photographs, if you're interested.

Just how far does your loose change go? 

The Santa Shoebox Project 

Rural Communities 

Camping in a township and the Viva Art Festival 

When you have to walk 4km for fresh water 

Week 43 - My Sunday Photo. Volunteering in South Africa

62 Santa Shoeboxes, pledged, shopped, packed, labelled and waiting for drop off number 2 to start on Wednesday.

Pretoria North drop off processed 900 boxes on Friday and Saturday. Pretoria East/Centurion will be processing over 6000 boxes. Help us help as many children as we can.

I have the following boxes to make up, as I over pledged so if anyone wants to sponsor a box or two, please let me know. The average box costs £10/R200/AED56

Boy                                                                                      Girl
Nhlonipho aged 9                                                                Lebongang aged 12
Tebohos aged 9                                                                    Keneilwet aged 12
Tumelo aged 7                                                                     Gugukethu aged 12


Santa Shoebox is very special to me, it's where I first found friendship in October 2011 when I dropped off my 5 boxes, met Brittany, Janet and Dorette and ended up staying for 5 years. Sadly this will be my last year with SSB as I now have a job and live in Dubai, but I plan to carry on raising awareness and funds for these wonderful people and the rest of the committee and volunteers to support them in the valuable work they do in the community supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

Want to know more?

How you can support vulnerable and disadvantaged children in South Africa

The charities and sponsors I'm working with in South Africa 

Don't just blog it, go and do it...Volunteer to make a difference.

I keep seeing what can only be described as 'jumping on the bandwagon' posts, tweets and Facebook updates.

It seems the whole world cares these days about every single issue.

A celebrity posts a photo of a hunter in Africa and the world jumps on board.

A newspaper publishes a photo of a boy, dead, washed up on the beach and everyone is writing about it and raising money by providing a link to a donation page to support the migrants who made it safely across the water.

A child goes missing or is murdered and the world stands still and asks how it could happen.

There's a Tsunami, a landslide, a bombing, 100's of people crushed. Everyday there is a news story about the plight of someone, a nation etc every single day.

Some stories become global, some are covered up, some never see the light of day.

But does 'jumping on the band wagon' when a story go global, actually help in anyway to change opinions, views, activities of individuals, groups, religion, countries or does it just raise awareness for a day, a few thousand pounds for a charity or just a case of having a clear out and donated unwanted items to a charity?

But what then? It simply becomes yesterday's news, tomorrow's chip papers and we all move back to our safe lives and await the next disaster.

I'm sure a lot of people feel better for it having reposted, made a donation or written a blog post with a donation link, but is it actually helping? changing lives long term or changing the way world behaves?

There have been many issues over the past few years that have touched my heart, made me think there for the grace of god go I. I did the ice bucket challenge and donated, I wrote a blog post. I had plenty of shares, comments and views but did my R200 actually make a difference to anyone's life? I have no idea, as I never went back to the organisation I donated to, to ask.

I've baked cakes for the Macmillan coffee morning, I've sponsored friends children to raise funds for their school/Children in Need but I've never asked, how my small donation added up with everyone else's, what the money was spent on? services or equipment? I have no idea.

So I stopped and I focused on supporting vulnerable children in South Africa. Yes I've asked for money for donations for a pushchair so a mother could take her disabled child with her to work so she didn't lose money. I've asked for money to buy sweets for children in informal settlements for Easter, money to bake cakes for a birthday or Christmas. I spent 4 years promoting a charity that collects and distributes over 100,000 gifts to disadvantaged children in South Africa, built and equipped a school a 2 hour drive west of Kruger National Park, helped locals in a search and rescue to find 3 boys swept away by floods. I've provided blankets for the needy in winter, helped women get into employment, trained teachers, painted shacks in local communities. I've supported an organisation with providing rape counselling.

Despite now living in Dubai, I've still supported these charities this year, making scarves and bags to sell to raise funds, blog posts and running social media accounts. I've raised funds from family and friends, but it just isn't enough.

Companies are ignoring me, charities won't work with me, jeez I can't even get a couple of online groups to RT me and promote the charity work I do. Why not? Because I don't tell individual's stories of their suffering, I don't post pictures of the vulnerable children or dare I say it I'm just NOT popular or influential for people to bother with me.

I'm not in it to look good, I'm not in it for the number of shares, likes and RT's on social media. I'm in it because this is what I do, support vulnerable children, raise funds (spend my own money) give my time, go back year on year to volunteer, support and just be there to help out in anyway I can.

I have a Go Fund Me page, I tried Just Giving, I've asked directly for donations and every penny and every item I've been given has gone directly to a child in need. Not one penny has been taken out for any kind of expense. I provide every receipt, I show you what was purchased and tell you where it was taken. Where I am allowed I will take a photo of the child/organisation to show you them with your donation, but they look happy in the pictures, because they are happy with the gift, they want to smile for the cameras and despite what you see in the media, poverty does not always mean upset.

I just know what else I can do, to make a bigger difference to the children and organisations I support other than just keep on giving them my time, which makes more of a difference to people's lives than it does 'jumping on the bandwagon' then moving onto the next 'popular' news item.

If anyone wants to know more about the projects I'm working on in South Africa in October and November please get in touch. In the meantime just give me shout out to my Go Fund Me page to see what I'm fundraising for and watch out for social media updates while I'm in South Africa to see how time given can actually change lives far more than just blogging about it.

Charity Cup Cakes - Making a difference to lives in South Africa

How can a cup cake make a difference to a child's life in Africa?

Very easily. 

If you visit a child in a township or informal settlement in South Africa you'd be surprised that not only do the majority of children not know they have a surname, they can't tell you how old they are either?

Very few have ever had a birthday celebrated, let alone a cake or a party and gifts.

The Viva Foundation in The Alaskan Informal Settlement in Mamelodi are changing this by sponsoring every child who attends there Early Learning Centres to have a birthday, to feel special and to feel valued.

Here is one of many cakes I baked for a child's birthday.

This little girl was so excited to have a cake she dived into head first.

Over a two year period I baked over 3000 cupcakes, I handed them out over christmas, easter, at family days, to orphanages, random people on the streets. I've baked cup cakes for several families as a donation towards a child's funeral as requested. I turned up at nearly every facility I visited with cup cakes.

I received many donations from family for ingredients, or friends baked for me to help me out with larger events.

I designed individual cakes, made red velvet and chocolate cakes. I had help from the kids and hubby with loading the car and delivering.

So can I tempt you with a cup cake? or maybe a small donation for when I return to South Africa in October for 5 weeks to help out with collecting and distributing 10,000 christmas gifts to disadvantaged children in Pretoria. To work with Dignity Dreams to fundraise for sanitary pads to enable young girls to remain in education.

If you would like to donate please click here.