Cape Town is known for its cold, wet winters, and this year is no exception, with continuous downpours. Winter in Cape Town is relentless and has settled in with icy persistence. In Fractreton, Cape Town, a small child stands barefoot, shivering and hungry, under a windbreaker that is several sizes too big. Safety pins hold their oversized sandals together. Socks? They have never owned a pair.
The Mustadafin Foundation faces this daily reality, providing dignity to those in dire situations in our communities. “Every day we provide vital support to communities in need, from nutritious meals to warm clothing and disaster relief,” shares Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, Director of the Mustadafin Foundation. “This winter, we are appealing for essentials like food and warm clothing, and especially for socks, a small item that brings real comfort in the cold.”
It may seem small, but to a person with frozen feet, a warm pair of socks is everything. It offers comfort. It restores dignity. It reminds them that someone cares.
But this is not just about socks.
- It is about families trying to survive in wet shacks with broken windows.
- It is about parents skipping meals so their children can eat.
- It is about children going to school with empty stomachs and soggy shoes.
Our feeding lines are growing. Familiar faces return quietly. New ones appear each day. These are neighbours, grandparents, single parents, and schoolchildren, all seeking warmth, nourishment, and hope.
“It is also not just about financial support. We are inviting you to be part of a community that cares. Even the smallest contribution helps. One loaf of bread. One blanket. One pair of socks,” says Johnstone-Cassiem. The movement from poverty to dignity starts with you, the individual.
“Thanks to the generous donations we have already received, we are warming cold feet with socks and filling empty stomachs with nutritious meals. But the need is still great. With the wet and cold conditions continuing, we need to stock up now to ensure we can keep supporting those who rely on us in the weeks ahead,” adds Johnstone-Cassiem.
What You Can Give:
- A pair of socks
- Warm children’s clothing and shoes
- Non-perishables, fruit, vegetables, or a loaf of bread
- R120 for a blanket
- R300 for a full Winter Pack (socks, hat, gloves, scarf and blanket)
- R2000 to provide a pot of soup and bread for an entire community
Drop-off Locations:
154 Antelope Street, Bridgetown
or
Cnr Boeschoten and Thornton Road, Athlone