1000 blankets for Hospital of Hope

Yesterday the Hospital of Hope, the name for the COVID-19 Intermediate Care Facilities in Cape Town, received a donation 1000 blankets from the Tzu Chi Foundation South Africa as part of the call to Spread Warmth this Mandela Month. 

The handover, which took place at the CTICC Intermediate Care facility, will also benefit patients at the Brackengate facility.

Besides this latest donation, the Tzu Chi Foundation SA has made a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic with donations of personal protective equipment (PPE), worth over R20 million, since March 2020 to healthcare facilities across the Western Cape and the rest of South Africa.

“Many of our patients are from the vulnerable sections of our society and are in need of some good cheer. These blankets, together with other donations for Mandela Day, will really lift their spirits,” said Dr Theo Abrahams, Facility Manager at the CTICC Intermediate Care Facility.

Please continue to Spread Warmth this Mandela Month by preparing a care pack for our patients recovering from COVID-19.

Care packs can include:

• Socks
• Toiletries
• Warm clothing
• Clean, three layer cloth masks for patients to take home after their stay
• Sports water bottles
• Anything else to show their care and which will make a hospital stay warmer and more healing.
• Include a homemade card or note, poem or drawing to inspire patients during their recovery.

Individuals and corporates can get involved by contacting Harry Grainger at The Health Foundation on 021 418 1580 / 072 6133 719 / Harry@thehealthfoundation.org.za

You can also drop off your care packs. Carefully label it with “Spreading Warmth” and your name and drop it off at: The Health Foundation offices (16th Floor Norton Rose House, 8 Riebeek Street, Cape Town)

Audio:

Dwayne Evans, Communications officer – Western Cape Government Health, on the donation.

Additional Information:

About Tzu Chi Foundation SA

Tzu Chi’s missions focus on giving material aid to those in need - inspiring love and humanity to both givers and receivers. In addition to charity, the foundation dedicates itself in the fields of medicine, education, environmental protection, international relief and the establishment of one of the world’s largest bone marrow donor registry. Tzu Chi also promotes humanistic values and community volunteerism.

Our history in South Africa started back in 1995 Johannesburg. For the past 25 years, Tzu Chi SA has provided relief with compassion and love to those needing it the most. From victims of fire, flooding and now COVID-19 pandemic. Our volunteers help provide relief that includes shelter, food and warm blankets. We have also established 8 schools around South Africa to nurture the next generation.

COVID-19 Response Stats

• Donated more than 2 434 tons of rice
• 18 740 food parcels for over 24 300 families
• 363 000 disposable face masks
• 66 900 isolation gowns
• 363 000 gloves

With the whole world coming together to fight COVID-19, volunteers of Tzu Chi Foundation in South Africa are also taking concrete actions to help families in need and those whose lives have been upended.

As we confront the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa, the Tzu Chi Foundation has initiated two large-scale projects. The first is aimed at helping frontline medical personnel through the donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks, medical gloves and isolation gowns. The second project is the distribution of food parcels to alleviate the plight of those living below the poverty line and those who have become unemployed due to the lockdown and now face starvation.

Tzu Chi Foundation SA Chairperson: Dean Teng at TCSA 011 450 2256 / chairperson@tzuchi.org.za