Driven by the desire to help the less fortunate, a group of friends started a non-profit organistation through which they aim to engage in “small missions that make a difference in the lives of others”.
“Iliso Lethu can be described as life changer in the disadavantaged communities,” said one of the founders, Nosibulele Biko.
Ms Biko said the organisation was started in 2018 but was officially registered in 2019 by herself, and Khanyisa Mzimkhulu.
In the past two years they have managed to fund-raise, but have also used their own money to buy things like school uniforms and sanitary packs to distribute to schools in areas like Gugulethu, Khayelitsha and as far as the Eastern Cape.
“In 2018 we had a concert where the late Reverend Nkomfa Mkabile performed for the elderly in the Sada area and when we left, they asked us to do something for school children,” said Ms Mzimkhulu.
She said since then they had been been working hard to fulfil this mandate. “The economic climate makes it hard for many organisations to attract sponsors and funding, so our method is to get friends and families to buy into our mission,” said Ms Mzimkhulu.
Ms Biko added that their work wasn’t all about giving people handouts, but also about organising empowerment sessions for the young and elderly.
“It’s a nice feeling to leave a person with a gift but also the notion that they too can do it if they have enough tools,” she said.
On Saturday September 26, Iliso Lethu will host a Heritage Day fund-raising effort themed “Ubuntu Bam” where speakers from various local organisations will deliver messages of hope. The event takes place at Isivivane Centre in Khayelitsha, opposite the magistrate’s court, from 2pm.
Entry is R80 for adults and proceeds will go towards helping the organisation in the future.
If you would like to support Iliso Lethu, call 073 407 1296.