Before the Zonke* family was brought to the attention of Harvest Aid, they were suffering. There was always a shortage of food, clothing and basic necessities. This family of seven often went to bed hungry. Just surviving was a daily struggle.

Granny Zonke like so many South Africans is struggling financially. Her only income is the grant money that she receives every month from government and even that doesn’t last long. She was selling sweets until 2006, but fell ill and couldn’t do it anymore.

This granny has herself and 6 six children to care for; and they live in a one room shack. This family’s plight was brought under the attention of Harvest aid by Patrick Mashego Primary School; one of our partners in the community, where little David* goes to school. Harvest Aid found a sponsor for David, the youngest of the family. The older children don’t qualify for sponsorship as they are too old already.

Through your gifts, Harvest Aid is making a huge difference in the lives of every family member, even though only one child is being sponsored. They receive a weekly food parcel; and eating regular balanced meals has already improved David’s concentration at school. This alone is an investment in his future. Harvest Aid also supplies clothes and other necessities when available to the family. They recently received a table and chairs from Harvest Aid.

Granny Zonke thanks all Harvest Aid partners for making her life and that of the children in her care, better by far, by providing food they could not afford and for relieving some of the stress they were experiencing.

*Real names changed to protect identities.

Inflation is something that hurts us all; however poor people are hit hardest. This is because they spend a larger percentage of their income on food, energy and transport.

In July 2011 the official inflation rate was 5.3%, but most of us (except top 20% earners) experienced a hike of at least 6.6%. The problem for poor people was that bread and cereals rose a scary 9.5% in ONE month! Meat went up 11.4% in June. June also saw a 18% rise in electricity costs. Petrol was up 19% for the preceding year. Food prices internationally have already risen this past month and these hikes have not yet reached us, so there is even more inflation on the way.

On and on it goes; and we wonder how we will all survive. Somehow we manage. We cut and shave our budgets and somehow get by. But imagine for a moment what this means for someone who has an income, but uses it all for food , electricity and transport – the working poor. There is no way to absorb increases, and so something has to be cut back. Usually its food. Nutrition suffers. Imagine cutting back on the amount of food you can buy by 9% one month and then 5% the next, etc. simply because you can only spend R?.00 on food. When you have no policies to cancel, or no choices to make about holidays or you cannot spend less on luxuries because you have none of the above; you experience growing poverty month by month – even if you have a job.
Now, what about those who are children without support systems? Need I go on? Needless to say that once again they are the hardest hit.

Harvest Aid is about helping the desperately poor get by. Without your help we cannot do it. Help us make a difference in the lives of hungry and vulnerable children. Give. Open doors to others for us by telling them about Harvest Aid. Tell your employer about opportunities to give through Harvest Aid. Support a breakfast, or perhaps even arrange an event. Sponsor a child. Use Facebook to like our page and share it with your friends. DO Something. Your continued support means a child will eat today who would have gone to bed hungry tonight.

Steven (Fanie) Loots
CEOI, Harvest Aid