It's Blog Action Day, TODAY: 15 October

Blog Action Day is Today: 15th of October and they asking everyone with a blog to discuss poverty. Their hope is to raise awareness through conversation on the topic. Perhaps talking can lead to ideas and perhaps some ideas will lead to action and that action is what we need.

I can't really say much about poverty without sounding facetious as I have never experienced it, first hand. I am one of the fortunate ones who were not born into it. I know that most of my country faces the pains of poverty daily and while I can't do a lot, I am obligated to do something.

Talking about it is easy. Asking people to contribute to the conversation is another thing. It seems to illicit some strange uneasiness. They seem to shy away from the physical action of THINKING about OTHERS. Now try getting them to DO something!

Whether you're too shy or just haven't given it another thought, here are some easy (you don't have to get off your arse) way's of contributing. I have already blogged about Google's Project 10 to the 100th If you have an idea (any idea) to help dispel poverty, then please submit it before the 20th of October!

I have found another online project, this time by Trip Advisor. 

On the 12th of November they will be donating $1-million to 5 chosen causes. The money will be divided up amongst the causes according to how many votes they receive. 

All of them very worthy causes and all you need to do to vote is click a button! 

On today's topic of poverty, there is more than 1 cause you could click for. Vote Here 

As if you need a little incentive; your vote also gets you a free Green Travel Guide - Vote to find out more! (Image borrowed from Trip Advisor)

If you are one of the more motivated people in our population and you feel that you have skills, but don't know how you could possibly apply them assist your poverty stricken, fellow South Africans why not have a look at the Greater Good SA website for lots of ideas and notices of what you can do or give (or both!). 

Greater Good SA organised 'Do it Day' in September, which was a stunning success! See my posts in September for more info on what we got up to.

We Did It!

When I came back to CT, I told a lot of my friends that one of the things I most looked forward to, was the fact that in SA we really can make a difference. It isn't difficult to do, you don't need a special permit or special training. You can volunteer to do just about anything. 

On Friday 19 September, we painted a boy's

home in Khayelitsha; The Bridge at Elukhuselweni Children’s Home. 

Elukhuselweni means 'Place of Safety'.

The home hasn't been left to ruin, by any means, but put on a coat of paint and the place is transformed. There are currently 46 boys who live there, aged between 7 - 18 years. I'd refer to them as street children, which (I didn't know) is a name they despise. Most of the boys do have families, but for reasons such as poverty or addiction in the families, they are unable to go home. 

At Elukhuselweni they learn to take responsibility for their own lives. They have to let go of the seemingly easier life on the street. The boys get pocket money amounting to between R6 and R11 (depending on their ages) per week. This is a far cry from what they can make on the streets begging or dealing drugs. They go to school, all over Cape Town and come home every night to a cooked meal, a bed and carers who act as parents and treat the boys as children.

The ability for someone like me to go into their home for a single day; paint the kitchen a nice new yellow, while listening to the boys running and playing and singing in the halls is what I meant when I said in SA we really can make a big difference so easily.

And we don't have to wait for the one day a year dedicated to it. There are tonnes of ways to help, whatever your location, skills or means. For more information, see the Greater Good SA website:  http://www.myggsa.co.za/

Do It Day!

Tomorrow, all around South Africa, hundreds of willing and able bodied people are giving up their time and skills for Do It Day.

Organised by Greater Good SA whose details can be found at: http://www.myggsa.co.za/

A few of us have signed up to paint a Elukhuselweni Children’s Home home in Khayelitsha:

http://www.myggsa.co.za/connect/doitday/146/

Beneficiaries

The 65 boys who have left the streets but cannot go home due to the situation, or for whom we cannot find any relatives. The Child Care Workers who look after the boys for very low pay.

Impact

For most of these boys, being in the Children’s Home is the first time in their lives that they can feel safe, secure and valued. Bright and clean surroundings contribute to the children’s self-esteem and pride in their Home. Clean painted walls make a huge difference to the atmosphere. By improving the physical environment, we lift the spirits of all the staff and children.

I'll let you know how it went...!