Shaliema Ramedies, Darul Sabr (House of Patience) founder and coordinator and her son Ansaar.
A Tafelsig charity is collecting old and new toys to give to needy children in the area this festive season.
Darul Sabr (House of Patience), in Honolulu Street, Tafelsig, has been doing community outreach work for more than 15 years and it is appealing to the public to support its Share-a-Toy Christmas donation drive.
Shaliema Ramedies, the charity’s founder, said many in the area were living day-to-day and had little money left over for Christmas gifts or school clothes for the new year.
Darul Sabr used to distribute food three times a week but can now only afford to do so once a week.
“Whatever we get, we give to the people,” Ms Ramedies said. “My children help me. Whatever we have in our pockets, we put together to see that our community is taken care of.”
The charity is also hoping to throw a Christmas party for the elderly.
“I want them to forget about this doom and gloom of the pandemic, lift their spirits and just see them enjoy themselves,” Ms Ramedies said. “We are not such a huge organisation, but we love what we do.”
After the festive season, the organisation will focus on school uniforms, shoes, stationery and books.
Other charity projects included annual blanket drives and food parcels during Ramadaan, Eid, Christmas and Easter.
Ms Ramedies's daughter, Nazeema Grobler, who lives in Bothasig, is managing the Share-a-Toy drive. Toys can be dropped off at 11 Plakkaten Street, in Bothasig, or call Ms Grobler at 076 498 5099.