Local charitable organisations and Helplines
If you feel you would like to give back to your community – whether you are a business or an individual – and donate in some way, be it monetary/materially or giving your time/skills, here are some suggestions of charitable organisations where you can make a start.
If you are a business who feels strongly about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), The Border Kei Chamber of Commerce (BKCOB) has a working committee that has put out a fantastic CI (Corporate Investment) Handbook to help you choose the right charity. The committee has done extensive vetting of these charities, and companies can feel secure in the knowledge that their CI is going to a legitimate and worthy cause. This handbook has been so popular that it is being extended greatly in 2015. 
Click on the logo to access the new handbook for business ▶️
There are many other organisations in East London that are not included in the handbook, for which we will outline for you here.
Animal Welfare Organisations
If you would like to support one of the many animal welfare organisations in East London, please click here to read about the different options.
Charitable Organisations
The Salem Babycare Centre aims to provide an integrated and holistic programme towards self-sufficiency, ministering both God’s love and practical support to destitute mothers and their children. The programme includes primary health and nutritional care for babies and children, educare for older siblings, literacy and skills training and HIV/AIDS education and support programmes for mothers. If you would like to get involved and assist the Salem Babycare Centre, please click here to visit their website.
St Bernard’s Hospice provides palliative care to patients diagnosed with a life-threatening illness such as Cancer, Motor Neuron Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, Multi Drug Resistant TB as well as emotional support and counselling, which extends into the bereavement period to families. St Bernard’s Hospice is a home-based care service where patients are visited in their homes throughout the communities of East London. Visit the St Bernard’s Hospice website for further details on how you can donate and help the organisation.
Reach for a Dream believes that no child should live without hope and fulfils the dreams of children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses such as Cancer, blood disorders, cystic fibrosis and kidney failure. The wonder of childhood is often lost in the emotional, physical and financial strain of dealing with an illness and Reach for a Dream strives to help those dreams come true. There are many ways in which you can assist Reach for a Dream, to find out how, please click here.
The McClelland Adult Centre is a residential and protected workshop facility catering to the needs of the intellectually impaired community in the Eastern Cape. The Centre accommodates 70 live-in residents who are placed in three hostels and an extended care unit. It is the only centre of its kind in the area that provides both residential and workshop facilities and they assist communities from all over the Eastern Cape, including previously disadvantaged areas. If you feel that The McClelland Centre is an organisation you would like to assist in some way, please visit their website.
His Hands Care Centre specialises in the educational and social needs of children. Areas of interest include Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, General Developmental Delays and Autism. Specialists in the fields of Speech-Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy all contributed in the designing of programs and for staff training. Volunteers are always welcome at His Hands Care Centre to assist with stimulation and entertainment for the children, or if you would like to contribute financially, to help with the sponsoring of children for school, please visit their website.
Breath of Life is an initiative of the Restore Trust, a public benefit organisation set up by the Stirling Baptist Church. Its focus is primarily on the support of women dealing with crisis pregnancies – women with unplanned or unwanted pregnancies are care for, educated on available options and counselled through their journey. Breath of Life also provides immediate refuge for babies that have been abandoned in the Buffalo City area; it is a place of safety where the babies are cared for and placed in appropriate social programs. The organisation welcomes donations and by contributing just R100 a month, it allows the Breath of Life team to support and care for the women of our city. Please visit their website to find out more on how you can help.
Living Waters began with a single pot of soup to feed the homeless in the East London city area. It has since developed into a multi-faceted service provider, offering hope to the vulnerable members of the community through various empowerment programs. Through its projects, Living Waters provides support to survivors of domestic violence, rape, human trafficking, absue and socio-economic challenges. There are many ways in which you can become involved including through financial investment, through the donation of much-needed items and through volunteering your time to assist with your skills/passion. To find out more about the ways in which you can assist, please visit the Living Waters website.
House of Gifts is a small East London-based organisation, established to assist destitute and homeless families in the area through God’s love. Currently providing meals and clothing to several families in East London, House of Gifts relies heavily on assistance from the community and appeals for continued blessings in the form of unwanted household goods, clothing and food. Please visit House of Gifts at their website to find out more about their work in East London and how you can help.
CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA is a countrywide organisation providing holistic support for children suffering from Cancer and life-threatening blood disorders, as well as their families. The profound effect that childhood Cancer has on everybody it touches needs to be dealt with by providing the correct support and information and with a focus on compassion. Support is vital to the ongoing work of CHOC and there are many ways to get involved in the organisation through volunteering your time through various programmes. Details of these programmes can be found by visiting the CHOC website.
The Loaves and Fishes Network works throughout South Africa with children on the margins of society and thus affected by poverty, violence and HIV/AIDS. The Loaves and Fishes Network’s vision is to achieve effective, sustainable and holistic childcare training and development in disadvantaged communities through the Eastern Cape province. Donations are always gratefully received by the Network, whether monetary or material and you can find out more by visiting their website.
Lathitha Development, based in Mzamomhle, Gonubie, focuses on community empowerment through development of life skills and promotion of family well-being. Volunteers are cherished at Lathitha and there are many opportunities to give your time, resources and skills to make a difference. For an in-depth article on Lathitha Development, the work they do in the community and how you can become involved, please click here.
The Canaan Care Centre is an Edu-Therapy Day Care facility for children for severe and profound physical and mental disability. The Centre provides day-care for up to 21 children from birth to 16 years and believes that all children, despite their level of functioning, be given the opportunity to develop to their full potential, with dignity. There are numerous ways in which you can help the Canaan Care Centre, either through donations of food/equipment, monetary donations or the giving of your time and talents. Please click here to find out more.
It is CANSA’s mission to enable research, to educate the public and provide support to all people affect by Cancer. The purpose of the organisation is to lead the fight against this dreadful disease throughout the country. Fundraising events are held regularly to raise much needed money to continue the work that they do but there are also many ways in which you can become involved, further details of which you will find on their website.
The Carel du Toit Centre in East London works with deaf children of pre-school age throughout the Eastern Cape. They assist through the natural acquisition of language and speech, use of technology and provision of parental guidance and support in order for the children to be able to speak in the hearing world. The Centre is the successor of the Theodore Blumberg Clinic which was the first institution in the country to introduce the ‘oral method’ of education of severe to profoundly deaf children. To read more about the Carel du Toit Centre and how you can get involved and assist, please visit their website.
The South African Red Cross Society is part of the world’s largest humanitarian Movement. The Movement is impartial and neutral and provides protection and assistance to people affected by disasters and conflicts and thousands of volunteers give their time and passion to help others each day. If you are looking for opportunities to give back to your community through volunteer work or perhaps a monetary donation, you can contact the South African Red Cross Society via their website.
Greensleeves Place of Safety provides care and nurture for abandoned, abused or orphaned children. The organisation is currently operating without any government assistance or funding and relies heavily on donations from individuals and corporations. Monetary donations each month can not only assist with the feeding of children but also the schooling. If you feel you would like to assist Greensleeves, please visit their website to find out how.
Helplines
National counselling line: 0861 322 322
Counsellors help callers with challenges such as trauma, suicide, and relationship issues.
National AIDS helpline: 0800-012-322
Stop Gender Violence helpline: 0800-150-150
National toll-free helpline for survivors, witnesses and perpetrators of gender-based violence.
Childline South Africa: 08000 55 555 – (24-hour toll-free helpline)
Assistance from trained counsellors for abused children, young people, and their families. Information, support and assistance to children and their families. Issues dealt with include physical and sexual abuse, substance abuse, behavioural problems, legal advice and trafficking.
Child Welfare South Africa: 0861 4 CHILD (24453) – Report neglect or abuse of a child
(011) 452-4110 – National
The co-ordinating body for more than 260 affiliated child welfare societies, organisations and community outreach projects. It is the largest non-profit, non-governmental organisation in South Africa in the fields of child protection and child care and family development.
Police Child Protection Units: 10111 – Emergency Number
08600 10111 – Crime Stop
The SA Police Service’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit Special police units investigate violent crimes against children and offer specialised services to child victims of crime. There are units around the country.
People Opposed to Woman Abuse (Powa): 083 765 1235 – Helpline
Gauteng-based organisation offering shelter, counselling and legal support to women in abusive relationships, rape survivors, survivors of incest.
Stop Gender Abuse: 0800 150 150 – Toll-free helpline
Crisis counselling for women who have been raped or abused, advice and support for people wanting to support women in need of help, legal and other options available for abused women and rape survivors. Run by LifeLine Southern Africa.
Alcoholics Anonymous SA: 0861 HELPAA (435 722) – National Helpline
Worldwide fellowship for alcoholics supporting those choosing to be sober. Only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Al-Anon: 0861 ALANON (25 26 66) – Helpline
(021) 595-4508 – Main Office
Al-Anon Family Groups is for the families and friends of problem drinkers, with a special section – Alateen – for children of alcoholics, and a group for adult children of alcoholics.
Narcotics Anonymous SA: 083 900 MY NA (083 900 69 62) – National 24-hour helpline
NA is a non-profit organisation for recovering drug addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.
SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence: 08611 REHAB (73422)
(011) 673-0400
SANCA provides specialised and affordable prevention and treatment services for alcohol and other drug dependence. A national body established in 1956, it has independently operated societies and counselling centres in all nine provinces.
Department of Social Development’s Substance Abuse Line: 0800 12 13 14 or SMS 32312
National Toll-free Helpline & support, guidance and help for people addicted to drugs and alcohol as well as their families. Run in partnership with the SA Depression and Anxiety Group.
SA Depression and Anxiety Group: 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393 – Suicide Crisis Line
(011) 262-6396 – Helpline (both open 8am – 8pm daily)
SADAG campaigns to eliminate discrimination and stigma in the field of mental health and to support, educate and assist the public, patients and their families with mental health problems and issues. Provides information on depression, panic disorder, social phobia, generalised anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bi-polar mood disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia and an array of other psychiatric conditions – including those affecting children and the elderly, and suicidal behaviour. Can help you find a psychiatrist, psychologist, or GP with special interest in mental health in your area. Helpline staffed by trained and counsellors.
Family and Marriage Association of SA: (011) 975-7106/7 – National Office
FAMSA supports families through stressful situations: offers counselling and education to strengthen marriage and other relationships in the family. Assists with divorce, mediation, domestic violence, trauma, grief counselling etc. Famsa has 27 offices around the country.
Marie Stopes Clinics: 0800 11 77 85 – Toll free call centre
A government-approved health facility with clinics throughout South Africa. Offers safe abortions, family planning services including birth control, pregnancy tests, male and female sterilisation, HIV testing and ante-natal services. Fees charged according to client’s income bracket.
It does not matter how small the contribution or effort, when combined it makes an enormous, and very welcome, difference in people’s lives!
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