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Dear Fellow Haven Friend and Supporter This time of year is always one of reflection and resolution to “do better” next year. Battered as we are by the rampant materialism of the age, our basic humanity craves more meaningful and relevant issues to give purpose and definition to lives that are lived too quickly, too carelessly and inevitably, too unthinkingly.
Caring…….sharing…….helping are not the essence and stuff of the often harsh new order of things.
A shrug of the shoulder, a glance away into the distance and, sometimes even a shouted: “Get a job, man”, are the way many unthinkingly react to poverty. Some feel that poverty, the “poorest of the poor” and poverty-alleviation are the issues that the politicians should surely be taking care of for us. It’s too easy to be too busy to get involved. And, anyway, so many of us do not really encounter poor people in our everyday lives.
As we wind-down for the year-end break, and with hope and some trepidation contemplate what fate has in store for us in 2003, fortunately most of us make some time to look into our real inner-selves and reach out to friends and relations we have simply been too busy to interact with during the year.
In this rushed and frantic world, The Haven - as you will know through your previous support - provides you with a well-established and recognised vehicle to care….to share….and to help those outside of your immediate circle, and, in exchange for your physical gift, receive the blessings and joys that giving to others less fortunate, ultimately brings. Something special that you have experienced before.
Street people are worthy recipients of our generosity. Enormous gratitude, affection and revitalisation greet every contribution which makes them understand that a largely-uncaring world can reach out and assist them to re-establish their damaged lives. The Haven does more than simply take care of their material needs. It believes that lives can only be mended in combination with emotional and spiritual re-enforcement, if people are trained, encouraged and loved.
The Haven is and has made a difference for nearly 25 hard, long years. It provides food, clothing, ablution facilities, and a warm, comforting bed. In addition, thousands of street people are counselled and trained each year. It is a refuge - a haven - to many in a time of turmoil and uncertainty in their lives.
I asked Haven CEO Hassan Khan to give me the details of the services provided by The Haven this year. This is his list:
More than 11 000 space blankets were distributed to destitute people throughout the Western Cape last year alone. Nearly one million (that’s 1 000 000) meals were provided to very hungry people. 3 000 street people were given individual counselling to help them to cope with their own circumstances. About 250 people were helped to acquire new job skills, and a number of them have done extraordinarily well.
This has only been possible because the people of the Western Cape - people like you and me - have supported the various programmes The Haven has to offer. We can, and do, put them in a position to “make a difference” through our support. Please join me again this year in making a financial donation to their truly worthy work - to the love, care and common “good sense” they provide to people that would otherwise be without hope.
Let’s celebrate the year by giving generously to The Haven to empower them to do even better. It’s an opportunity for you to “make a difference” too.
They are counting on your support.
Raymond Ackerman Friend and Supporter
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