[DEBATE] : Fwd: FW: We CANNOT sit idly by and do nothing.

[Dominic Tweedie]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lerato Motimele <leratomot at gmail.com>
Date: 2008/5/22
Subject: FW: We CANNOT sit idly by and do nothing.
To: dominic.tweedie at gmail.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Angela Lang [mailto:anj at icon.co.za]
Sent: Tue 5/20/2008 18:45
To: Angela Lang
Subject: We CANNOT sit idly by and do nothing.

Hi everyone


I thought that I would send you an update of what¹s happened since my last
mail asking for help.

I spoke to George this afternoon. He is the co-ordinator for the Bedfordview
Methodist Church. The situation is not improving. More people are arriving
daily, not just at the church but at various centres throughout the city.
Estimates are putting the numbers of displaced at 10 000. The government and
Red Cross have lent their assistance, but this problem happened so quickly
and there are so many people who are being displaced that whatever is being
done is just not being done fast enough.

They have housed a few hundred people in the church hall, but they only have
space for women and children, which means that the men have to spend the
night outdoors in the field with just a blanket for warmth and protection.
The government is busy setting up tents etc, but not fast enough to meet the
demand.

He had just come back from the Primrose police station where there were over
100 women with small babies, and no food or clothing for them.

The Red Cross is helping at various centres around the city, but they are
also needing resources.

What everyone is needing desperately are the following:

* Blankets
* Clothes for babies and small children
* Warm clothes for adults (some have been wearing the same clothes for more
than 5 days now)
* Baby formula, baby food and disposable nappies
* Food ­ bread, canned goods, soup, and hardy fruit such as apples, pears
and oranges
* Toiletries

I know that this problem seems insurmountable. But this will only be true if
we sit in our warm houses and pretend that this does not affect us.

Perhaps the saying 'O There, but for the grace of God, go I¹ is relevant
now.

I implore you all to dig deep, contact all of your networks and contacts,
rally support and get as many people as possible to help.

Let this crisis be known, not for the violence that has consumed so many,
nor for those who have needlessly lost their lives ­ but rather let it be
known for the way every single South African stood up and changed its
course.

We cannot ignore our poor and desperate neighbours on our doorstep. We HAVE
to do something, for to sit idly by would be as great a sin as brandishing a
weapon.

I am including a list of organisations where you can drop off any goods you
have collected. I am also including the banking details of the Red Cross for
any who would like to make a donation.

Our people need us and we need to answer their cry.



Rhema: Alan (011 796 4069)
-----------------------------------
Sri Sathya Sai Organisation of Lenasia South:  Roy (082 892 1814)
-----------------------------------
Gift of the Givers:  Dr Imtiaz Sooliman ( 011 832 1546 /  083 667 7179)
-----------------------------------
Red Cross ( 011 873 6364)

Std Bank
Acc: 002 231 808
SA Red Cross Society
Branch: Ellis Park

Fax deposit slip to: (011) 873 5590

Or you can drop your stuff off at:

Red Cross Drop off centre:

41 De Korte Str,
Sable Building
16th Floor

Att: Banda
-----------------------------------
Central Methodist Church: (011 333 5926 /  082 600 8892)
-----------------------------------
**Personal   George    082 565 9405
 -----------------------------------
**Personal   Cyril    082 958 6354
 -----------------------------------
All Nation International Ministry ( 084 285 3335)
-----------------------------------
Chubby Chums (011 825 7773)


Thank you all for your help
Anj