In 2018 the concept of a Hamper program to alleviate poverty in and around the Phoenix community was first suggested by one of the founding members, our late Gonie Dorasamy. This was based on his colleagues at his work place (eThekwini Municipality) who had started to assist the Verulam Child Welfare by pooling funds together and making it available to the organization for use in procuring items to put together as food hamper packs.
At the very outset the concept of governance and due diligence was adhered to. Applicants were interviewed. Their plight was recorded and a matrix was developed to determine the most needy.
In 2018, there were 15 families that were identified as worthy recipients. The applicants were referred to FWBME by Management of Natest Primary School and Phoenix Child Welfare. FWBME members and their families and sponsors came on board to fund the program in its entirety. The cost of each hamper amounted to approximately R300.00. We distributed the hampers monthly to 15 families.
All hampers were distributed from Natest Primary School.