Rays of Hope has been partnering with the community of Alexandra for 29 years and is now well-entrenched and well-respected by the people of Alex. We operate by building long-term relationships and have a team of people who work on the ground impacting the lives of the less fortunate and most impoverished and therefore vulnerable. Over the last few years, we have also created a network of over 30 smaller non-profit organisations across Alex, who by working together can reach more people. In light of the current crisis, which by the very nature of Alex – overcrowded and under-resourced – will have a massive and potentially disastrous impact. The hardest hit will include: - People who are unemployed as they will not have the extra money for soap and sanitizer, and cannot afford to stockpile; - People and children living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions; - The sick and elderly who cannot risk exposure; - People who do not earn their salaries if they do not attend work; - People who will need more food for their children because they are not receiving food at school - People who have no access to medicine to treat their symptoms. Rays of Hope is planning to assist in reducing the spread of infection between people. While isolation is very difficult and medical facilities are limited, by providing non-perishable food, basic medicines, soap and sanitizers, we will be able to reduce the need for infected people to go shopping for food and travel to doctors except in severe cases, while also enabling improved cleanliness and hygiene. Rays of Hope is therefore appealing for donations to buy food and health-related products, which will be made into hampers consisting of the items below. These will be distributed across Alex through the families that we have a relationship with as a result of the work that we do and through our network of partner organisations. We want to provide hampers to 2,000 families across Alex. To provide a hamper to a family in Alex, will cost R850, including purchasing, packing, and distribution. Click here to see what will be included in a hamper. Companies and individuals are also encouraged to buy and drop-off the goods needed for hampers. All donations received from a company will be eligible for BBBEE points and a Section 18A certificate can be issued for cash donations. Donations can be made into the Rays of Hope account: Rays of Hope Nedbank, Hyde Park 1972 126 903 Branch Code: 197205 Swift Code: NEDS ZA JJ Ref: #Hope4Alex