On 16 July 2008, we posted a large box of Teddy bears, kiddies and babies winter clothing  to Jo Maxwell in Cape Town. The box finally arrrived yesterday, 18/08/08, safely in Cape Town.

Below is a copy of the e-mail of what Jo is up to and how she plans to distribute the goodies.

Dear Nicky,friends and customers,

A huge thank you once again for the parcel of clothing and toys which arrived last Tuesday. I had suggested to Jane Keen that perhaps we could distribute the gifts from your friends and customers to the children as a birthday gift.  I think I mentioned previously that we now have 14 crèches and 908 children we are feeding, besides providing them with equipment, toys, playground equipment donated by the public.  So I think I was being over simplistic in thinking that the birthday present would be the right course when dealing with so many children.   This is Jane’s reply, and I have agreed.  We have so many foreign volunteers these days helping at the crèche’s so I know they will ensure that all the contents of the box goes to where it is most needed.  a

At this stage I believe the refugees have received an ample supply of food, clothing and my “famous” Good Night and God Bless sleeping bags.

Please convey our thanks to everyone who was so generous again.

Sincerely

Jo

I am presently working on another project which is opening a School of Nutrition and Cookery in Browns Farm. The poor have a basic diet consisting mainly of mielie meal and bread, the cost of which is now very high, none of which contain any nourishment and pure carbohydrate. I wish to teach the benefits of other foods, dried beans, lentils, split peas which are high in protein and including as much fresh vegetables (of the cheaper variety - carrots, cabbage and whatever Fruit & Veg have on special) as possible.  I have also bought in a stock of a soup powder containing a cocktail of 28 vital minerals and vitamins (the same as ePap) which will be added to stews or soups at the end of cooking.

Hopefully once I have changed the mind set and the school is running successfully, I will hand it over to one of the “pupils”.  It can then be used for bulk cooking for the community and sold at a small profit to make it self sustainable.

Rotary are giving me a Grant of R100,000 which will go towards the purchase and conversion of a Container into a basic kitchen (for the time being or until it becomes a small business venture for someone), with seating.  So far I have received a Microwave for quick preparation.  Next on my wish list would be a fridge/freezer and stove. My begging skills will be tested as I approach manufacturers of these items.

Thanks Jo. We don’t have enough long term volunteers to do birthday presents – which means keeping track over a whole year…. We could take to the forum and divide there (next meeting is this Wed afternoon) or we could just give them to the newest poorest crèches and ask the volunteers there to see that they go to the most needy children with some in stock for when there is an accident and the children need to be changed. I think that would be best. Jane

Jo Maxwell
1 Norfolk Lane
Rosebank
7700
Tel: 021 685 4517