There’s still a lot of kick in a vibrant UJW

STAFF REPORTER

                                                                                                           
“These are the two striking themes that come to mind in terms of what we have achieved over the years, and what we need to focus on, to meet the challenges of the day. The first theme being stability – which is largely reflected in our older projects, and the second being transformation, which in my view is the next steep hill we need to climb with our newer projects,” she said.

On the side of continuity, the UJW has its flagship programme, Kosher Mobile Meals. Forty-two years ago, a small group of caring women with vision took the commandment “honor your father and mother” to heart and initiated the mobile meals project that today serves 162 elderly people who cannot cook for themselves.

Other long-standing projects are:

* The Friendship Club lunch has been running for many years. A three-course meal, tea and entertainment are provided for between 50 – 60 mainly older members of the community, three times a month.

* For elderly Jews living in unsafe areas such as Hillbrow, Berea, Yeoville, and Bellevue, the UJW, working with the CSO, has had panic buttons installed in the homes of 32 meal recipients, including water-proof ones for showers.

* The Adult Education Division has been running for some 60 years, offering a diverse range of high calibre speakers.

* The Granny-Child Headed Household project supplies 62 families, or 320 family members, twice a year, with clothing at the change of seasons, as well as food parcels during the year.

* Two crèches in Alexandra township (next to Sandton) are supported with food, toys and other essentials.

* Mitzvah Day – with the good response of the public to an appeal for packs of toiletries and chocolates for elderly members of both the Jewish and the broader communities, saw some 500 gift packs donated to 170 elderly members of the Jewish community, many of whom live alone in areas such as Hillbrow, Yeoville, Berea and Bellevue, and to residents of the Joseph Gerard Old Aged Home in Alexandra and to the Age-in-Action club for the elderly in Soweto.

As far as growth of the UJW is concerned, it has started several projects.

These include:

* An after-care centre in Alexandra was started 18 months ago. Close to 40 children attend. During school holidays a stimulating programme of fun activities is presented. Children are assisted with homework. It is hoped to extend this programme during the year and create a community centre that will attract adults and children to the hub of stimulation within that poverty-stricken, but vibrant community.

* A feeding scheme is based at the Lutheran Church In Alexandra, giving food to 100 people every day.

* The men waiting despondently in the Orange Grove area, just off Louis Botha Avenue, hoping that someone will pick them up and offer them an honest day’s work, are given a hearty meal every Friday.

* The knitting grannies is a new project in Alexandra, which has emerged from the union’s association with the Warm the World project. This project provides wool for women to knit into squares in doctors’ waiting rooms. Because sewing these squares together to make blankets is quite an undertaking, the knitting grannies are paid a stipend to sew thm together. This extra income means a great deal to these pensioners.

* At the Hillbrow Clinic the Union provides 4 000 cups of soup a month for patients attending the clinic. The HIV unit each Friday runs a clinic for families with children who are HIV positive. The UJW donated tables, chairs and toys for the children. Comfort packs are also supplied to some 100 victims of sexual assault a month.

* The Sewing School is a new empowerment project, established in November. With donors and partner, the Impact for Christ Ministries, a fully functioning workshop has been established. This has involved the installation of sewing machines. A skilled teacher was employed and a structured curriculum developed. The first group of 12 has graduated and now offers items for sale.

* Mandela Day on July 18, has the collection of school shoes,to be given to poor children, as its aim. The UJW is mobilising the Jewish community to assist. This project was launched at Bertrams Primary School where over 60 pairs of brand new shoes were distributed.