On the 13 May 2011 the MEC for Social Development Mr. Alvin Botes launched the Winter Relief Program of the Department in Fraserburg. As part of the Departments approach to improve relations with the communities and interacting we concentrated on a more direct –one on one approach with them. The campaign was intensified with door to door campaigns to the poorest of the poor communities in Sutherland , Fraserburg and Williston.
The launch of the 13 May 2011 culminates a week of door to doors in the above-mentioned areas where we visited in excess of 500 households in these areas.
The Karoo Hoogland is one of the coldest areas in the Country ,therefore it is very fitting that we launched the program in this area . The winter relief program will be rolled to all districts in the Province.
We are aware of the high levels of poverty in our communities more especially in Karoo Hoogland. The situation is worsened by the shortage of permanent job opportunities , HIV/AIDS and the increase of alcohol and drug abuse amongst the youth
The Departments mandate is to reduce poverty of which the following plays a fundamental role . The funding of soup kitchens and Drop Inn Centres , Early Childhood Development Centres , Food Gardens and Service Centres for Older Persons.
Therefore the Winter Relief Program was implemented by the Department to assist with temporary social relief during these cold winter days and to provide assistance to the needy. Over and the above-mentioned above we have already provided community members with food parcels , blankets and school tracksuits to identified learners.
As mentioned earlier the main reciepents of the blankets , food parcels and track suits are vulnerable children , unemployed persons , older persons and persons infected and affected by HIV / AIDS.
We realize that it is a drop in the ocean and that we cannot reach everybody but trust that we have made changes in the lives that those who we are going to reach more especially the most needy.
Source: Department of Social Development
Enquiries: Conrad Fortune
Communications
079 873 0670