It is hard to believe that in the midst of such stunning beauty...Feedback on Jikeleza fundraising

It is hard to believe in the midst of such stunning beauty that such appalling poverty persists: Hout Bay from the Chapman's Peak drive
It is hard to believe in the midst of such stunning beauty that such appalling poverty persists: Hout Bay from the Chapman's Peak drive

10th June 2013: R9,680 (£614) raised so far

 

Letter to donors

 

Dear friends

Your response to Jikeleza Dance's fundraising appeal has been fantastic. It has given the people working on the ground in very challenging circumstances a real lift to know that people care enough to give.

 

News from Hout Bay, where Jikeleza works, in the last week has been pretty dispiriting. Torrential rains and fierce, freezing gales swept up from the southern Atlantic depositing over two and a half inches of rain in 24 hours on the rich and poor of Hout Bay alike.

 

As you can imagine, torrential rain on the steep slopes of Imizamo Yethu township soon leads to floods of water and raw sewage. Shacks had to be abandoned. Tragically a young woman was found dead outside the Standard Bank in Hout Bay. It is believed she died from hypothermia.

 

Levels of violent crime show no signs of abating. In the course of two nights two spaza shops (informal corner stores) in Imizamo Yethu were held up by armed robbers. In one shop a bystander was shot three times.

 

Sexual violence remains an ever present danger.

 

Your donations have been truly appreciated.

 

Many thanks again and thank you for your forbearance. If you have any feedback it would be much appreciated.

 

I've attached a photo I took of Hout Bay a year and a half ago. It is hard to believe that in the midst of such stunning beauty...

 

Very best wishes

 

Fergus Murray

(Volunteer Fundraiser, Jikeleza Dance).

 

See here for more on Jikeleza Dance.

 
Fire sweeping through Imizamo Yethu August 2013
Fire sweeping through Imizamo Yethu township, home to 8,000 people, July 2012.

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