We followed up with the WAS Foundation to hear how their Club Cares donation has benefited the NPO.

In July 2021, we got to know the dedicated members of the WAS (We’re Against Starvation) Foundation when they were nominated by a caring Club subscriber, Drieka Crous. The deserving Club Cares recipient operates in Krugersdorp, Gauteng. Initially an animal rescue initiative, they’ve evolved to helping the poverty-stricken communities in the area. This amazing NPO provides basic  care (from food, toiletries and clothes to medical assistance) to more than 3 000 people who greatly depend on them.  We checked in with the foundation to find out how the Club Cares donation has made a difference…

A PRODUCTIVE year

Like the rest of us, the WAS Foundation had its ups and downs in 2021, and the number of people who are in need of their help has  grown exceptionally. ‘But every day was a blessing,’ says WAS Foundation member Riekie Trollip. ‘We made about 545 900 meals between the beginning of January 2021 and the middle of October 2021.’ The foundation also hosted other projects throughout last year. ‘We had kids’ birthday parties every month to make each one of the children from our soup kitchen feel special,’ says Riekie. ‘There was also the Handbags of Love project for all our ladies and elderly women. We provided them with some basic toiletries and luxury goodies.’But that’s not all that the foundation had planned for the year. At the time of writing, they still had a number of exciting projects planned for the remainder of 2021. One of these was basic first-aid training. ‘We feel this is important for the people who stay in the townships and rural areas, as the emergency services aren’t always able to reach them at their location, or in the case where the people aren’t able to reach the emergency services in time,’ Riekie explains. There were also three Christmas parties planned, as well as functions for the little ones and the elderly. ‘The joy on those children’s faces is truly indescribable, and knowing that we can give them a fun-filled day away from their usual daily circumstances makes the Christmas party extra special for us all,’ says Riekie. ‘I truly love helping the elderly, even if it is just to spoil them with a cooked meal and a present. We feel a little goes a long way.’

Club truly cares

By the looks of it, 2021 has been a successful year for the WAS Foundation. ‘There were so many blessings and highlights throughout this year to be grateful for, not to mention the support of the community and those in need all standing together and caring for one another,’ Riekie says. One such highlight in 2021 was the R45 000 donation from the Club Cares initiative. ‘We are so lucky to have been nominated for the wonderful and kind donation,’ Riekie says. The donation has helped them tremendously, especially in carrying out their feeding scheme and providing everyone who visits their soup kitchen with food hampers. ‘Even if it is with only a plate of food each day, you have helped us achieve that. You’ve helped us in reaching our goals for the year.’ The donation has made it possible for the foundation to make 2 000 lunch boxes. They were also able to hand out 150 food parcels, which could last a family of seven for a week. That’s a total of 7 350 meals that wouldn’t have been enjoyed by the families in need without the hard work and dedication of the WAS Foundation.‘With your care and help we made sure that a lot of people did not go to bed hungry and children didn’t go to school hungry.We hope to touch even more lives, and help more people and children in need next year, and start programmes to help motivate the people and inspire them.’ 

Visit their website: wasfoundation.org.za

Words by  Bianca Muller
Photography: Courtesy Images