Mustadafin Struggling

Mustadafin struggling

Another vital NGO working within the community faces problems with their operational costs and have been bogged down by mounting water and electricity bills of late. The Mustadafin Foundation, a relief aid agency, has now kicked into gear to initiate their upcoming fundraiser, earmarked for Saturday 9th June. Centre director Ghairuniesa Johnstone said if they are not able to keep up with the payments, then they will soon see an end to projects within various poor communities.
“We have a salah khana and a feeding scheme running in the Delft area that feeds up to 1000 people every day. This is one of our main concerns at the moment and if we cannot keep up with payments then all these people will be left hungry,” she said. Despite using the premises for the feeding scheme and salaah facilities, they are also hosting various educational and development programs throughout the week.
“The people within the area have really been benefiting from these programmes and the youth has been active with their weekly participation. We want to raise as much as we can at the upcoming bazaar to uphold these projects,” she explained. Johnstone said that she was disappointed to see that there were no response as yet from various institutions she has called on for assistance. “The bazaar has been postponed to this month and still no response from institutions. We are still looking for more people who would be able to come forward and offer assistance,” she said.
A few women in the Delft community have offered to donate handmade baskets for the bazaar to raise funds for the organization. “The baskets will be filled up with goodies to be sold on the day of the bazaar. If there is anyone who is willing to assist us with filling these baskets up, then we are asking you to please come forward Insha-Allah,” she pleaded.
Johnstone said that they will be having a collection drive on the day of the bazaar and are calling on the community to donate blankets and clothing for the destitute.  “There are so many people who are without clothing and blankets and that is why we decided to have a collection drive on the day a well." The bazaar will be taking place throughout the day with various food and clothing stores on show. If you would like to know more about the bazaar or how you can contribute towards the Mustadafin Foundation , you can contact Ghairuniesa Johnstone on 021 633 0010 or 021-633 0060. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)