South Africa was declared to be on a National Lockdown due to the COVID 19 pandemic from the 27th of March 2020, meaning that all South Africans should initially remain home for 21 days in order to beat this novel virus. Only essential services (Police, Doctors, Nurses, Food retailers and essential support services) were permitted to assist in dealing with measures to curb the Lockdown impact. The Lockdown was subsequently extended by the President till the end of April 2020.

As organization, before the proclamation of the state of national disaster we were concerned as to how our beneficiaries will be impacted by this and as early as the 9th of March we started to engage our beneficiaries about the possible impact the virus might have on all of us as citizens of the country.

For the past 25 days of the National Lockdown, uMthombo has been rendering services to street-connected children & youth and also to the homeless population by providing food, basic toiletries, and hygiene essentials such as soap, sanitizers and masks, water as well as blankets especially to those living in abandoned buildings in the eThekwini and surrounding areas. This act did not leave out those we have been assisted previously and found odd jobs to make a living and also living independently. The declared lockdown has affected them since they cannot go to work which leaves them without any income and no food source. As an organization we are supporting them with food parcels during this National Disaster. Our Social Workers have also been providing psychosocial support to about 255 street-connected population.

With the assistance from our supporters, we have managed to service 255 street-connected population, which included children, youth & adults (Females=62, Males=183, Babies=10).

Thank you to all the friends, supporters & stakeholders of uMthombo for continuing believing in our work and making it possible to carry out our mission and vision to fight homelessness and also changing perception regarding street-connected children & youth.

Note: President Ramaphosa has declared an extension to the National Lockdown for a period of 2 weeks (17th April to 30th April 2020).

The journey still continues and will keep you updated. Your support and any form of contributions would be highly appreciated as we fight the COVID 19 pandemic.

Please visit our website www.umthombo.org for any support.