Hundreds of homeless people roam the streets unacknowledged, and are forced to live without basic provisions such as warm clothing and blankets. The plight of these individuals inspired the management, staff and the Student Representative Council (SRC) at ICESA College, to plan this blanket drive.
Carol Spence, general manager for ICESA College, said; "The idea to start a project of this kind occurred when we noticed a few young people sleeping on the roof of the building across from ours. It was clear that they did so for warmth. This prompted us to start a blanket drive for homeless people around the Durban CBD area. Our focus is on street children and the elderly, and we are calling upon the public to contribute to this worthy project and assist in providing much needed help to the homeless."
This is the second year that the ICESA team has organised a blanket drive,and the 2012 project saw staff and students vigorously fundraise on campus to purchase blankets for needy recipients situated around the Durban City Hall and the Durban CBD beachfront. SRC members Sanele Masimula, Nokulunga Cele, Nomfundo Mchunu and Nompumelelo Nxumalo, led the fundraiser last year and encouraged their peers to donate to this worthy cause.
Recipients were most thankful for the donated items and expressed their gratitude. At the time of the distribution, an elderly man, who has lived on the benches outside City Hall for many years, said that the donated blanket was the first that he had owned whilst on the street and that it would help him greatly.
Fundraising projects are both a form of team building which ICESA strongly promotes, and a reward to students' personal development as it shows that they too can make a difference.
Be a part of this worthy cause and donate a blanket today. Contact the Student Counsellor, Shakira Mahabeer on (031) 307 7071 or ask for her at the campus.
For further information on this release, contact:
Communications Department:
Group Head of Communications: Jessie Naidoo or
Public Relations Coordinator: Tash Pillay
Tel: (031) 251 9300
Email: az.oc.nilemad@oodian.eissej or az.oc.nilemad@yallip.hsat
