Students hit the streets… for others

Sithandwa Khuzwayo and Leboghang Nkambule were making their way back to campus along New Street one day and, as usual, were approached by a car guards and beggars asking for change or food.

The Rhodes University first-year students started talking about how they could make a difference – and that day they started collecting coins to buy blankets for the needy people they came across. The called it the G-care Foundation and at first the money came out of the pockets of Khuzwayo and Nkambule.

Soon other students got to hear about what they were doing, though, and their second outreach, on 3 September, was fully funded by donations from other students.

“The university can do something [to help others]to a certain extent – but what are we as students doing about it? We can tell you all the problems but who are the solution makers? We can make the difference we want to see, so that’s why there is G-care. It isn’t about us, but about helping people,” Nkambule said.

G-care creates personal profiles so they can put together clothing donations that match a particular person.

They wish to put a stop to the stigma that children on the streets are naughty, or even dangerous. “When you go and speak to these kids they tell you that they go to school but are doing this (begging) for the people in their homes, like their younger siblings,” Nkambule says.

On Sundays G-care foundation volunteers meet in the afternoon at Nkambule’s residence where they start making sandwiches and cold drinks. They then go out to High Street and New Street to give out to needy people such as car guards and those who beg for money and food on the streets. The volunteers engage in conversations while distributing the food parcels and more than one food parcel is at times given in case the individual needs a meal later or for someone back home.

Kwanele Mdletshe, Katlego Morodi and Luvuyo last week Sunday.

G-care Foundation distributes over 50 sandwiches on a day on the streets of Grahamstown. Food parcels are distributed every Sunday, clothing and blankets are also collected. To anyone who would like to be a part or to donate anything from money to blankets, simply direct message G-care Foundation on Facebook or on Instagram. Should you know of someone in need and you do not have a specific platform to help you are more than welcome to volunteer to be a part of G-care.