News & Events

COVID 19 Development Work Interventions

The week of the 27th April - 3rd May 2020, uMthombo engaged with 3 eThekwini Municipality Wards (4, 14 & 42) distributing food parcels to 436 beneficiaries as part of the our Community Awareness & Prevention Programme.

Families identified were in social distress of which many are comprised of child headed households, unemployed youth & adults, sickly elderly citizens and those who are not receiving any form of social grants due to varying reasons.

There was a huge outcry in one of the wards for food parcels assistance, where about 100 individuals expressed their frustrations. A list was drafted with names and contact details so they can be prioritized moving forward.

These families fall under uMthombo community interventions with many classified as having At-Risk children & youth who might be susceptible to homelessness. Providing psychosocial support will enable the families to manage the negative socio-economic impact that is imposed by the current pandemic.

Your support and encouragment is so much appreciated during this time.

The journey continues...

#uMthombouBuntuCampaign

COVID 19 Response

Living on the streets is challenging and especially during this COVID 19 period. Unfortunately this is a reality for the street-connected community. When you see homeless children & youth begging on the street, you feel compelled to help. By donating to uMthombo uBuntu Campaign, you can change the life of homeless children & youth in a meaningful way.

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Warm Winter Campaign

uMthombo is proud to continue to help those who are truly in need. The COVID 19 pandemic & Lockdown has left many families, communities and the most vulnerable in compromising situations.

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Abandoned & Derelict Buildings a Haven for the Homeless

Derelict buildings are often associated with criminal activities which portray occupiers as criminals, drug addicts and social delinquents. This creates a stereotype of viewing homeless people as problematic based on their social standing. Most living in these buildings have changed them into makeshift bedrooms for survival, while job hunting or seeking better opportunities.

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Street-Connected Resurgence of Drug Misuse as Lockdown Rules are Eased

The use of drugs has been found to be widespread among homeless youth. Utilizing drugs on a daily basis for most of them is a coping mechanism with hunger, fear, loneliness and despondency they face on the streets.

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COVID 19 Unemployment Relief Grant for Street-Connected Beneficiaries

Since the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, addressed the nation on measures government is taking to mitigate the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic that has resulted in loss of income to business and individuals, at uMthombo we have been trying to translate this for our street-connected context.

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Defending the Rights of the most marginalised against Illegal Evictions

As the country prepared to move to level 3 of the National Lockdown, we continued engaging with the street-connected population. There have been great highlights which gave hope during our Outreach sessions but there were also disturbing actions conducted by individuals who are opportunistic. A certain man named "Melvin", accompanied by a private security company (Boss Security) came in full force to evict the occupants in one of the derelict buildings, without any legal documentation.

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COVID 19 Psychosocial Interventions

Four abandoned buildings, 2 open spaces and different street locations in and around the eThekwini Central Business District were visited in the past week. In abandoned buildings 65 monthly food parcels were handed over to family units, which in total made up by 199 individuals. Sandwiches and fruits were also shared with 71 street-connected youth and adults who are still fending for themselves in the city streets. Our focus as well during this food distribution, was to give clear guidance and guidelines as to how the street-connected community can access the government COVID-19 Unemployment Relief Grant and to provide an opportunity to seek clarity pertaining concerns they might have. Since the beginning of the lockdown in March 27th, the manner in which we have journeyed together with the street-connected community has led to increased levels of openness, trust and confidence. The redefinition of relations during this novel period, gives rise to possibilities for transformation, a permission to developing new identity for the street-connected individuals as well as the space to be pointed to services which can enhance chances in finding new hope for their life path. Thank you to all our supporters for lending a helping hand and making it possible to carry out our outreach activities. #uMthombouBuntuCampaign

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COVID 19 Response

As the journey continues, uMthombo facilitated its Outreach Programme the week of the 4th May – 09th May 2020 in eThekwini Municipality Wards (26, 27, 28 & 31), these Wards are within the city of Durban. We continued to provide psychosocial support and conducted follow-up assessments from our previous month food parcels distribution. Feedback received from beneficiaries was humbling, expressing how the food hampers gave them relief during the level 5 lockdown phase. Many mentioned they still have a bit of food to last couple of days. Part of the reason for visiting beneficiaries in derelict buildings was to ascertain how much food is still remaining so as to prepare for the next delivery due to be undertaken as of the 15th May 2020. Our Social Workers were also in a process to inform street-connected beneficiaries who possess Identity Document about the government COVID 19 Unemployment Relief Grant, assisting to apply as well as give guidance to those who don’t have Identity cards. Distribution of food parcels in communities was undertaken in Ward 42, which is part of eThekwini Municipality northern townships. This was undertaken in collaboration with COGTA (Cooperative Governance and Tradition Affairs Department) and the Ward 42 Councilor, where 30 indigent families with a total number of 170 direct beneficiaries were assisted. Thank you to all our supporters for making our work possible & giving hope to our street-connected partners. #uMthombouBuntuCampaign

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COVID 19 Development Work Interventions

The week of the 27th April - 3rd May 2020, uMthombo engaged with 3 eThekwini Municipality Wards (4, 14 & 42) distributing food parcels to 436 beneficiaries as part of the our Community Awareness & Prevention Programme. Families identified were in social distress of which many are comprised of child headed households, unemployed youth & adults, sickly elderly citizens and those who are not receiving any form of social grants due to varying reasons. There was a huge outcry in one of the wards for food parcels assistance, where about 100 individuals expressed their frustrations. A list was drafted with names and contact details so they can be prioritized moving forward. These families fall under uMthombo community interventions with many classified as having At-Risk children & youth who might be susceptible to homelessness. Providing psychosocial support will enable the families to manage the negative socio-economic impact that is imposed by the current pandemic. Your support and encouragment is so much appreciated during this time. The journey continues... #uMthombouBuntuCampaign

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Webinar Interview about COVID 19 & Homelessness

Join us on the 30th of April 2020 (17:00 UK time & 18:00 SA time) in a webinar interview which will be conducted by Amos Trust our UK partner. We will also be joined by other likeminded organisations from Tanzania & India. In this interview we will be sharing our experiences during this time of COVID 19 based on our respective context. Click on the link below to register, so you can able to see us. Do not forget to share on your social platforms and to your family & friends. https://amostrust.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7c13879bd1b66d9b8efb00a98&id=2976257b72&e=a1082c56a1 Thank you

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uMthombo uBuntu Campaign

Homelessness has changed our society negatively which affects everybody. It is time we all play a role in providing alternatives to street-life. #uMthombouBuntuCampaign.

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COVID 19 Activities

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. Join our #uMthombo uBuntu Campaign and let’s make a difference.

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16 Days of Activism Campaign

From the 25th November to the 10th December 2019 it is the International Day to End Violence against Women. It also marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.

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Conversations With Young People

Through social media platforms, young people express their appreciation regarding the journey they have expereinced with uMthombo. We hope that as young people, regain confidence, more conversations such as these below will inspire others to engage in meaningful interactions that will be a supportive system through their collective lived experiences.

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uMthombo Christmas Prayer Service

Christmas Prayer Service dedicated to street-connected children & youth As an organization we will highly appreciate your presence in reaching out to our street-connected children & youth during this Christmas Prayer Service. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let’s join hands in dedicating the reawakening of our most vulnerable children & youth who find themselves stranded in the streets of our City. Donations to prepare a Christmas meal and any gifts for the children and youth will be highly appreciated. (gifts can include sanitary pads, toiletries & nappies) Over the past 09 months we have actively engaged with 220 children & youth from the ages of 05 months – 25 years. To date, 23 successfully reintegrated in the same 09 months, 70 of the children & youth are still receiving continuous support to date, 35 in our After Care and 92 are work in progress cases. The expected number to attend the Christmas Prayer Service is a maximum of 40 children & youth and 25 babies & toddlers. MRMC soup kitchen recipients are also invited, expected number will be 80. The prayer service will be led by -: Guest Preacher: Natal Coastal District Bishop - Rev Linda Mandindi -Date: 08-12-2019 - Time: 11:30am - Venue: Manning Road Methodist Church

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uMthombo’s Director reflects on his Overseas Trip (May-June 2018)

Mpendulo NyembeMy Europe trip came at the right time, since we as uMthombo have been needing to strengthen our relationship with existing supporters and to build new avenues of support with other supporters. Many thanks to Amos Trust and Friends of uMthombo for making it all possible – and of course, for their wonderful hospitality and friendship!

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The Amos Trust Cycle Tour from London to Paris

uMthombo’s director reflects on mind, body and achieving one’s goals This was a phenomenal experience, setting one’s goals, working towards them, facing challenges and finally getting there can be seen as a metaphor for our work.

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Beach Sports Day

FUN was the order of the day at the Hero’s Welcome beach event held in honour of the director of uMthombo Street Children SA, Mpendulo Nyembe, who undertook a 400km cycle from London to Paris to raise funds for local street children and youth. On the day of the event, a multi-sports festival was held on the beach at which street-connected children, the youth and public took part in various sports which was followed by a prize giving and celebration of life. The publicity generated by this event resulted in the organisation receiving over 42 calls from young street-connected individuals and families seeking help.

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