WWISA - Plettenberg Bay

It will come as no surprise that whilst the global recession is affecting lives across the world, those in already dire living conditions are in an ever-increasing need of urgent assistance. Houses built in earlier decades have become dilapidated, dangerous, and seriously cramped as families have grown and unemployment and disability continue to increase. One such house is the one pictured below. This currently accommodates a total of 9 people in a space of 3m x 3m (9 x 9 feet). Of the 9 people sharing the units three beds, only 1 is an able bodied employed person. Of the others 4 are blind or partially sighted; 2 are in their late 70’s and unable to move around freely and 2 are children under the age of 5. Whilst the provision of housing and community facilities is not our primary  

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focus or sole opportunity for service, all volunteers now have the opportunity to contribute to making a meaningful difference by working alongside local semi- & well-skilled building personnel during their first fortnight of service to repair and refurbish residential units such as those described above. Volunteers will provide hands-on assistance to patch and seal cracks in walls, roofs and floors; to paint; to glaze; to do garden preparation – all needed tasks requiring little more than a good energy level. WWISA will continue negotiations with local authorities to accelerate the delivery of needed accommodation and communal facilities but feel that projects like these above examples ideally lend themselves to volunteers’ hands-on involvement to make a meaningful difference.