Helping city’s poor and hungry

AS THE holy month of Ramadaan came to an end, Wynberg Concerned Citizen (WCC) founder Saeed Bester continued to do his bit in ensuring people around his community did not go to bed hungry.

Bester, born in Athlone and raised in Wynberg, shared many of the hardships that led him to give back.

“I’ve witnessed so much to the point where it’s quite disheartening to even talk about it, because the reality is that the only way to become a better community is if we all unify and that is what I’m trying to represent.”

He made it his mission to recruit WCC ambassadors to assist those in need in impoverished communities around Cape Town.

“What inspired me to start this initiative was the love of humanity. I’ve come to realise that instead of relying on other people to take care of our people, we should do it ourselves. Being in a position that allows me to be the first person to respond to emergency cases in the community really displayed the amount of help our people need.

“At the end of the day it is not about me, it is about the people and what differences I can make. If I can help by tutoring kids so that they can go and do great things in their life, then I will do so. If I am able to take young girls out of the clutches of the drug dealers who abuse them and help find missing people or assist fire victims, I will do so. At the end of the day, my dream is much bigger than the feeding scheme, but for now tackling poverty in our community through the feeding scheme is the most important goal right now,” said Bester.

Co-founder of WCC, Saieda Sadien said many households were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and they needed to step in during this period. He said many people were not prepared for lockdown as people lost their jobs and were not able to afford basic household needs.

“During the month of Ramadaan, we would go out daily to give out food at 6pm for members that will break their fast. We made soup as well. But that was only on alternative days when everyone breaks their fast. We know these times are tough for many people in the country but we felt like one act of kindness could encourage others to do the same and the world would not starve in the end. Helping those in need was never for the recognition but purely from the heart,” said Sadien.

Widaad Saiet from the Grassy Park Feeding Scheme said she endeavoured to feed more families in the community despite race, religion or creed.

“What my family and I would like to achieve is for each and every person to put back the love and caring into the community. We stand by our motto, ’if every man helps his neighbour who would need help’,” said Saiet.

Hairdresser and single mom of three, Shahieda Spannenberg found it hard to keep her feet on the ground after Covid-19 struck.

“When Covid-19 hit, it hit us badly. I relied on food parcels from all over just to feed my children. I did odd jobs here and there and relied on the R350 social relief grant to at least have something rather than nothing.

“Fighting to keep my salon open while trying to feed kids, get them clothes, transport them to school and so forth has been so stressful, but to know here are good Samaritans like Widaad and her feeding scheme really helps.

“The daily bread and fresh vegetables really took the pressure off moms like me, so for that I am eternally grateful for them and pray for more blessings in forms of support and more food stuff that can reach more people in need,” said Spannenberg.