Cape Town - A local NPO hopes to raise the alarm on the high levels of poverty in Tulbagh and other rural districts, outside Cape Town, following a recent food distribution.
Women of Hope Trust (WOHT) fed around 300 people in Tulbagh on Saturday, with food donated by Food Inn Cape Town.
A food distribution takes place every month or bimonthly across the City, however, the organisation hopes to focus on food relief efforts on the outskirts of Cape Town, where it is gravely needed.
WOHT member Estelle Woodman said there was a great need for food relief in areas such as Tulbagh.
“It saddens my heart to see how many hungry children there are. When we drove from one location to the other, the children were running behind the cars to follow us so that they could get more food. Children won't run behind you if they are not hungry.”
Resident Leon Swems said many in the community struggle with unemployment.
“There is a lack of jobs, houses and drugs is the main problem here in this community.”
WOHT founding member Munebah Derry said the distribution in Tulbagh was a first for the organisation.
“People very rarely come out this far to come and do something. They will rather go to the CBD or close areas to where they live. It's a sacrifice to drive out to places outside of Cape Town but that is where the help is really needed because nobody is going to give that helping hand.”
Derry said she hoped the initiative would encourage people within Tulbagh to assist where it is required.
Samantha Skrandalsky moved to Tulbagh from Cape Town four months ago and alerted WOHT to the plight of the residents.
“When I got here, to my disappointment, I found it very sad because there are a lot of people in need. There is no support for the kids. They are just roaming the streets.”
She said many young children were already drinking alcohol and taking drugs.
“There were girls selling themselves on the streets for a piece of bread. If I had any plea for Tulbagh, it's more social workers. These kids need life skills, they need interaction,” said Skrandalsky.