Hearts and Hands for the Homeless

 

Rand Aid Association’s Ron Smith Care Centre, represented by staff members Debbie Christen and Salina Mtshali, and volunteer, Claudette Theunissen, was able to finally deliver crocheted sleeping mats and blankets to the homeless and needy in Krugersdorp on 4 June.

The mats were made out of recycled plastic bags, which were cut into strips and wound into balls of yarn.

The activity, Ron Smith Care Centre’s Hearts and Hands for the Homeless Project, kicked off in March 2020, but ground to a halt a few weeks later due to the Covid-19 lockdown. 

The blankets were part of an ongoing recreation programme, which sees squares being knitted and then sewn together by volunteers to make blankets.

For over a year, Ron Smith Care Centre residents and staff intermittently worked on the initiative, through many disruptions and the ever-changing circumstances of lockdown.

“Finally, and just in time for the winter cold snap, 14 mats and 45 blankets were handed over to the WAS Foundation’s Rainbow Haven in Krugersdorp with our love and best wishes, especially to each person who received these gifts from us,” says Debbie.

“It was amazing that Ron Smith Care Centre’s staff and residents were able to persevere through all the disruptions and use this time during lockdown to try and make a difference. It was wonderful to meet our goal, despite the challenge of dealing with Covid-19, and so heart-warming to be able to contribute to the comfort and well-being of those who are less fortunate,” she adds.

Ron Smith Care Centre staff member Salina Mtshali (far left), with Rainbow Haven workers and volunteers.

Joy Smith making balls of yarn.

Josephine Kew cutting strips from plastic bags.

Elphin Lodge resident and volunteer Krys Geyser displays some of the blankets she put together for RSCC’s ongoing knitting project.

Ems Horn crocheted 12 of the 14 sleeping bags that were donated to Rainbow Haven.

A work group of residents and staff busy preparing the plastic yarn.

Doreen Woodward winds the plastic yarn into balls.

Ron Smith Care Centre volunteer Claudette Theunissen with Rickie Trollip, the Soup Kitchen Manager at Rainbow Haven.

One of the people from the Krugersdorp community who received a sleeping mat and blanket.

One of the people from the Krugersdorp community who received a sleeping mat and blanket.