Masimanyane on a massive Haitian drive

A month after the earthquake and the island nation is still short of supplies for its devastated citizens.

Many people have told me they would like to help out in some way but did not know how or didn't know which avenues to take.

Thankfully, Masimanyane Women's Support Centre has come to the fore, giving South Africans the chance to help resurrect the lives of Haitians.

Masimanyane is looking to collect items that contribute to the welfare of women and children who have been victims of rape and robbery in the last month. The organisation encourages each person to provide one item each. These include:

• Feminine supplies, combs, feminine wipes and other support (especially for pregnant women and new mothers).
• Personal/household supplies for birth delivery and after: (rubbing alcohol or disposable anti-germicidal substitutes; baby wipes, baby wraps, pampers, socks and caps and supplies for nursing mothers/newborn. It is cold at nights so there is need to cover the feet and heads of the newborns.
• Clothing and under garments for women and young girls
• Bedding & blankets for babies and mothers.
• Urgent need for the morning after pill (rape of girls and young women is becoming a problem, as is common in the aftermath of most disasters).
• Any items that you think would be useful for women and girls.
• In general any supplies (such as toothpaste, tooth brushes, soaps, etc) that can be used for daily living for men, women, boys and girls are welcome.

For East Londoners, there will be drop off points at major retailers and supermarkets. The dates for the points will be finalised soon.

In the meantime, you may drop off your items at the Masimanyane head office situated on 35 St Marks Road in Southernwood, East London.

Contact the project co-ordinator, Yulinda Sharrock on +27 43 743 9169 or +27 84 481 2195. You can also email her at yulinda@iafrica.com.

To read the report on Masimanyane's website click HERE.

To read the article from the Daily Dispatch, detailing Masimanyane's drive, click HERE.

To read the the report by project coordinator Yulinda Sharrock click HERE.