Keith Blake, Ottery
A few weeks ago Shuwing Lieu, the CEO of China Town, in Ottery, contacted me to ask me to choose 500 recipients who would be receiving each a 10kg bag of rice, groceries and blankets and that the rice is donated by the Tzu Chi foundation of Taiwan.
I informed numerous community leaders from Ottery, Philippi, Freedom Park informal settlement, seniors from Parkwood and Home Morea, in Lotus River.
There was a delay as the rice has not arrived yet as per ship. What struck me was the WhatsApp enquiries as to when the event will take place which indicated that there is dire need in our community and every donation by organisations is so very much appreciated.
The cost of living is putting a very heavy strain on people and one of the most devastating factors is the exorbitant increase in household electricity.
I chose the 500 recipients and the event took place at Chinatown, in Ottery, on August 3. The event was policed and protected by members of the New Horizons Neighbourhood Watch and Grassy Park Police under command of Captain Wynita Kleinsmith.
Bishop Paul Phillips of Voice of Parkwood prayed for the community and for the staff of China Town. The song Val plat as die skote klap by CJ Barlow was played a few times as the song promotes that when shots are fired people must fall flat to become less of a target.
The crowd posed with posters from the Fear of God Movement to show the deadly consequences of becoming a drug addict.
Mr Lieu officially opened the event with the following words: “I love you, I love you”, to the recipients.Then each recipient with their authorised vouchers received the rice, groceries and blankets.
After the event numerous community leaders via WhatsApp expressed their thanks to China Town for once again thinking of them.
A personal quote comes to mind – Donating to the vulnerable makes perfect social business sense.
