Help Matla A Bana to spread comfort
Support their ongoing comfort-pack project
Matla A Bana is a non-government organisation (NGO) that focuses on minimising the secondary abuse children suffer when they report sexual crimes against them.
According to Lizel van Eeden, the Matla A Bana project manager for Gauteng and Mpumalanga, they have a variety of projects running, but the one they are focusing on now is the comfort-pack project.
“The comfort packs are packed for different ages and contain a variety of items that help to give the victim some comfort. The court and the police use them to help make a direct difference in these children’s lives. Once they receive the packs, their dignity is restored,” Lizel explained.
She added that the various FCS units have also expressed a need for comfort packs for boys between the ages of eight and 12.
The cost of a comfort pack is R200, and Lizel explained, “A donor can either pay the R200 into our account, which we will use to buy the required items, or they can buy the items themselves and bring the comfort pack to us. It should contain a facecloth, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant, packet of tissues, underwear, sanitary towels, a packet of soup, a packet of biscuits/ chips, energy bar, fruit juice, colouring book, crayons and a teddy bear.”
The items are packed into a gift bag. We keep the toiletries and food items separate by putting them in two different plastic bags (a Glad Bag the size of a bread bag) before placing them into the gift bag. The gift bag is then marked with a sticker showing the age group and destination of the pack,” Lizel said.
Lizel said that this project was an ideal way for the community, as well as companies, to make a difference, especially with Mandela Day around the corner. “We want the community to be aware of this ongoing need and that they can make a difference. Any donation will be very welcome and gladly accepted,” she said.
For more information on Matla A Bana, and how to help, contact Lizel on 073 171 1031 or send an email to matla@mweb.co.za.
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