Page 19 - Rural Voice III - Responding to a Pandemic
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 The biggest challenge was registering people for the R350 disaster relief grant, when it was introduced by SASSA. A lack of network, data and no access to local support, meant many people struggled to apply for the grant. A number of people came to us for help with registration. We assisted them with USSD [Unstructured Supplementary Service Data], as most of them had no access to WhatsApp. We asked them to buy airtime and then we registered for them. Those who were registered also battled to get their money in town. Some trekked for three days from far-flung villages, only to receive no money. They were sleeping at the garage, and outside the post office. So, this issue was a major problem.
supporT neTworks during covid-19
The main community leaders with whom we worked were the traditional leaders, youth leaders, community forums, community development workers, and church leaders. We decided as an organisation not to work with ward councillors, because we heard that some of them were giving the food parcels to their families and not those in need.
The Social Change Assistance Trust [SCAT], The Solidarity Fund, The Open Society Foundation for South Africa, and The Foundation for Human Rights, helped us to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
The support and information shared by SCAT and other funders has helped us sustain the organisation. Our board of directors also provided support. They are a part of the community – community leaders, people in community forums, and traditional leaders. They know the struggle of our people.
lessons from working during The covid-19 pandemic
We learnt that something like a virus can change the whole world immediately, and that South Africa can be completely shut down. You go to sleep as a human rights activist, then in 10 hours you become a housekeeper. In South Africa, even though some of our people were not obeying the rules, most of us followed the restrictions and preventive measures to protect ourselves and our families. The unity that South Africa has is working for us.
“We learnt that something like a virus can change the whole world immediately.”
Flagstaff, seedlings and food hamper contents
RURAL VOICE III: RESPONDING TO A PANDEMIC
19
Training workshops
R 5693
Grant given for data and connectivity
R 5628




















































































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