Members of Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) could not contain their excitement when they received food hampers and blankets, from the Al-Imdaad Foundation.
The donations were handed over to 40 beneficiaries in Site C on Mandela Day, Saturday July 18.
The Foundation’s provincial co-ordinator, Yusuf Rajah, said it was no secret that the Covid-19 lockdown had had a tremendous impact on many people, and with winter in full swing, the less fortunate were feeling an added burden.
Mr Rajah said at times people who were living with disabilities felt lonely, uncared for, abandoned and through this small effort, his foundation wanted to reassure them that they were loved abundantly.
“We can’t change the lives of everybody but (with) the little things that we have, we can always make a difference.
“Our aim is to leave people smiling even if it’s only for few days or weeks.
“We strongly believe that if we could join forces with other organisations, we could certainly do more,” he said.
Beneficiary, Andile Ndabeni, said it warmed his heart to see a number of people living with disabilities coming out in their numbers because they usually stay indoors.
DPSA provincial deputy chairperson, Bongani Yamba, said they had noted that people who are living with disabilities were not receiving food parcels from the local leaders.
But, he said, it was the organisation’s top priority to take care of the most vulnerable and often neglected and urged other stakeholders to play their part in making a difference in the lives of those disabled people.