Creche Fun Day

Last Friday SALT sent a few volunteers to the Enozipho creche for a fun day with the kids.
The Kids were all given hot dogs, juice and niknaks for lunch. In addition to that a variety of fun games were played with the kids, creating a full day of fun!

There is no better feeling than helping somebody who may never get the opportunity to thank you

We recently started helping out at a school in Table View called West Riding. Not many people are even aware of the fact that there is a primary school just off Gie road in Table view with 650 learners.

Most of the learners are from Parklands and some from Du Noon.

At our meeting with the Principal recently we discussed areas of need, and once again Food came up as one of the biggest concerns.

52 Children are assisted each day by another organization with a cooked lunch. SALT’s concern was that if they needing lunch daily then surely the situation at home must be pretty bleak?

Once we started chatting to teachers, they did mention that many these children come to school without having had breakfast too.

So SALT has started a “Breakfast Club” at the school, where cereal is available for those who need. This is our 1st month and have supplied 22 boxes of cereal. We will monitor the situation and see if we need less or more.

Our biggest concern though is the “Food at Home” situation.  No kid should go to bed hungry, no parent should have to worry about this as well as paying bills, rent, school fees etc. My heart breaks thinking there are parents who have to watch their children go to bed on an empty stomach.

We really do believe that food is a basic human right!

SALT has committed to supplying these 50 families with a food parcel a month. It’s not a lot of food but it helps, especially when things get really tough during the month.

We are looking for 50 sponsors to sponsor one family each! It’s not a big ask. R75 per month helps give a family hope that there are other people out there who do care.

If you are able to assist with sponsoring a family or getting people in your office to all club together and sponsor a family this would be a great help.

I am reminded again of the saying I heard last year. “There is no better feeling than helping someone who will never have the opportunity to thank you”.........................................

Lets help these families, we never know what difference it could make in their lives.

There is no better feeling that helping someone who may never get the opportunity to say Thank You

One day without shoes!

As One Day Without Shoes drew closer, the Teen Service at View Church decided to celebrate it together on Sunday the 8^th of April as a build up to the 10^th. They called it “No Shoes Sunday”. No teenager was allowed into the service until they had removed their shoes. In doing this, much awareness was created as well as excitement for the upcoming march on Tuesday. Even though it was cold and raining, the entire group of about 240 teenagers participated in the “No Shoes Sunday” event.

One the morning of One Day Without Shoes, Pauline De Klerk, Director of SALT, participated in an interview on Cape Talk radio station in order to raise more awareness, encouraging people to go without shoes for the day, to donate shoes and to participate in the March that would take place later that night.

 Last year the official “One day without shoes” day enabled the SALT team to reach out to the schools to participate on the actual day by going barefoot for the day. However this year the schools were unable to participate on the day. We were still able to place collection bins in Elkanah House high school and Parklands secondary school.

The main event however, was a walk along Blouberg beach to create awareness for the cause. We all met at the parking lot opposite KFC the evening. People from all over the area came to show their support. We also had a bakkie there to do a big shoe collection where people could donate a pair of shoes. We walked all the way from the KFC to the Blouberg Beach sign and back, showing off their “One day without shoes” T-shirts and banners. There was an amazing vibe and everyone had a great time.  

Experiences of the day:

"This is my second One Day Without Shoes. I live in Somerset West and work at Parliament in Cape Town. And as a public transport commuter being without shoes is quite a vulnerable experience.  I find myself as i journey from the bus to work being extra careful with each step I take. Thought it would be easier having done it once before but it does not make you an expert at being barefeet. With each step I realise that being without shoes is a way of life for millions. They do not have the luxury of being careful and naturally live a life exposed to health risks and injuries. I have to admit I take owning shoes for granted, I do not even have to think about being without it. Its part of my dressing routine. Working at Parliament does help. Though the atmosphere is more relaxed in terms of attire, no one comes to work without shoes. So people are curious and some have committed to give shoes. But I guess that is what it is about...making oneself vulnerable. Today helps me realise that we cannot take anything for granted. What pulled at my heart today was that: some people looked strangely at me, a grown woman going to work without shoes, and some people were genuinely concerned about my health, but those who live without shoes that passes us by on a daily basis sometimes do not even get a glance.

 Thanks that I could share. Hope this is what you wanted. You are blessed. "  

Beben Cadman

“So yesterday, 10 April 2012, I went one day without shoes for a cause

What away to start my day....knowing I couldn't get out of bed and put my nice sheepskin slippers on was a killer, as of all days, YESTERDAY had to be a cold one

I took part and my tootsies froze but other than that, there were many questions asked, many stares came my way....it amazed me that I can be stared at for not wearing shoes, but if its the "less fortunate" then its just accepted! I was also VERY grateful for my car heater that kept those toes warm

I run 3 Weight Watchers classes and between them and my FB friends and family, I have asked them to pls bring all their 2nd hand shoes down to me....so far I have collected a black bag full

One day without shoes will DEFINITELY be a yearly event in our household!”

Thanks

Kelly

More updates to come!!

One day without shoes!!

The day is finally here!!! One day without shoes!!! The SALT team is challenging everyone to go barefoot for the day to raise awareness for the kids that have to go barefoot everyday. We are also encouraging everyone to donate a pair of shoes. The drop off points are at View Church and in the parking lot opposite the KFC on the beach at 6pm tonight!!! Hope to see all of you there!

Attention!!

Only 6 days left until One Day Without Soes!!!!

AND THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!!! Only 7 days left until "One day without shoes"!! Come join us down at the parking lot on Blouberg Beach opposite the KFC on 10th April and donate a pair of shoes!! 'Go one day without shoes so the kids dont have to!'

Volunteers from abroad!

Our family lives in America and during my boarding school's March break we come to Cape Town to see my grandparents for a few weeks. Last year I asked my grandparents if they knew of any volunteer work or charities that I could help while I visited. Through them I was able to get in contact with Sandra and I was welcomed to the SALT organization. After volunteering at SALT last year I looked forward to being able to do so again this year. This March one of my close friends traveled with me and before we left we had an idea to collect sweaters from the students at Suffield Academy as we were just ending the winter term and we figured that everyone could spare one sweater. We made announcements about the sweater drive and the school put it on their web site with the link to the SALT web site which helped students know what SALT does. We had an overwhelming response, we brought three suitcases of donations and we still have about four more suitcases full to bring! It makes a real difference when people know that their donation is really going to get into the hands of someone who needs it. My experience at SALT has been eye-opening and I have appreciated being able to help out an incredible and dedicated organization - Gerorgina Blakely

Pink Drive Review

Last Thursday SALT hosted Pink Dive for a breast cancer awareness and free examination day. The event was a huge success. The day started off with an educational talk including what Pink Drive is all about and how to do a proper self examination. They then presented a short DVD that summed up their purpose and statistics. Throughout the course of the day over 150 men and women were seen for examinations. The women were also taken separately to have proper bra fittings done . Once they were done, they received a delicious biscuit baked by one of the SALT volunteers, Bronwyn Croxford and were also given an opportunity to purchase merchandise to support the cause. We would like to thank the Pink Drive team, University of Stellenbosch Nursing Department and all the SALT volunteers that’s made the day such a success  All in all it was a good day supporting a great cause.

PINK DRIVE

SALT in association with the Pink Drive will be hosting a breast cancer awareness day. The day will include:

-FREE clinical breast examinations

-Correct bra measurements and fittings

-Self breast examinations

-Breast health education

Date: 15th March

Time: Open from 9.00am-14.00pm

Place: View Church, Table View on the corner of Wood Drive and Blouberg Road

*All ages are welcome

Tel: 021 557 3948

Email: info@saltprojects.org.za