WSA Porridge Project, 2020

Thanks for helping us, help out!

The WSA is a non-governmental organization, founded in 2019 – comprised of 120 members, of which 20 are active and regular participants. This women’s group was created for the purpose of caring for and developing themselves as individuals, as well as a group – with the additional goal to develop communities and support existing initiatives in both the short and long-term.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has". - Margaret Mead

Key Group Themes

· Care

· Community

· Sustainability

· Equality

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa in 2020, the country’s leadership declared a national crisis, and the WSA – along with the help of the surrounding community – set out to offer support during, and post, national lockdown.

The Objective

[Get resources directly to South African people which could alleviate starvation, improve health and mitigate the spread of the virus, without compromising on safety.]

As a result of the Corona Pandemic, and subsequent government lockdown, the nation’s people face innumerable social and economic challenges – despite a world-class and WHO-endorsed response to the crisis.

In a state address on 3/24/2020, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, stated “the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic requires an extraordinary budget of around R500 billion (over $26 billion), 10% of the country’s GDP to direct resources towards fighting the pandemic”[i]. Between the inevitable economic hit and various stages of lockdown barring access to specific goods, the challenge would be to identify the right resources and distribute them safely to communities in particular need.

The Solution

Funding: Preemptively, the WSA began a fundraising campaign to raise money online, using the crowdfunding platform GoGetFunding as a means of creating the initial service fund. The fundraising effort was driven by the optimistic view that able citizens would “help us, help out” by contributing to the WSA Service Fund.

With limited time, budget and accessibility under lockdown, the WSA and its supporters were able to raise R11,000. The relatively small nature of this fund meant that we were required to adopt a strategic approach in order to find ways for this limited figure to have the biggest impact possible.

Allocating resources: After a deep-dive into nutrition on a budget, and with some assistance from government and health reps who were able to informally advise, we ascertained that vitamin fortified foods were a cost-effective and tasty way to help alleviate hunger without wholly compromising on nutrition. Other proteins, such as lentils, eggs and carrots were identified as cost-effective sources of nutrition and protein but were perishable which makes distribution and rationing challenging[ii].

With the equally important view towards sustainability and supporting long-term feeding and skills development projects, we were inclined to split the existing funds between immediate relief and long-term relief, i.e.

The Results

Phase 1: “Porridge Project”

Collecting and purchasing non-perishables (particularly porridge and milk) and distributing them to communities in need via safe and legal means.

We partnered with organisations like Masicorp to distribute food to the following community groups and organizations:

• Yizani Sibonisane Seniors Club

• Khumbulekhaya

• Imfuneko Project

• Visionary Ladies Community Project

In some instances porridge was distributed by a community feeding scheme, but in others, vitamin-fortified, instant porridge and cereal was sent home to stop groups congregating for collection.

The food was distributed remotely, using the Bottles app to ensure the safety of team and community members.

• 1004 portions (equating to approximately R6 a portion)

• 251kg porridge and instant porridge

• 71 litres of milk

• 5 organisations

Special Thanks

Gila, Masicorp, Nicola, Joan Adams, Azizah Masoet, Karen Dunlop, Karin Uys, Kerry Beetge, Jamie Lee Jacobs, Yizani Sibonisane Seniors Club, Khumbulekhaya, Imfuneko Project, Visionary Ladies Community Project,