The Union of Jewish Women (UJW) has tackled the COVID-19 pandemic with passion, creativity, and incredible generosity.
Beneficiaries in rural and urban areas across South Africa included new-born babies and the aged, the homeless and the dispossessed, refugees, foreign nationals, farmers, school children and university students, nurses, doctors, children in dialysis units, the physically and mentally challenged, the lonely, the needy, and the anguished.
Desperate families received donations of food, toiletries, and household goods. Children were handed masks, sanitisers, and educational packs to alleviate the boredom of not attending school. Brain Boost participants enjoyed challenging puzzles and crafts to work on at home. Kosher Mobile Meals recipients relished daily cooked meals. New mothers at hospitals and clinics were thrilled with baby bags filled with all the basic necessities for their babies. University students in lockdown appreciated regular food parcels. Cupboards for storing work garments after a shift were provided for medical staff. The most destitute of rural families, those “far from the madding crowds”, were sustained with nourishing e’Pap parcels.
On Mandela Day and Mitzvah Day, UJW women rolled up their sleeves and covered a spectrum of wishes. Schools received donations of school bags and shoes. Community cottages housing people with psychiatric disabilities were refurbished. Children in dialysis units in hospitals loved their goodie packs. Distressed families were thrilled with generous hampers of groceries to see them through the December period. Adults with special needs were taken on their first outing to the beach, and loved their treat bags. Indigent municipality members and those attending feeding schemes were delighted with food parcels and meals. Relief boxes were donated to farmers, their families, and staff members after the devastating fires that destroyed their farms and livestock. Hundreds of sandwiches were made and distributed to the most hungry.
But it wasn’t all hard work. There were some amazing Jerusalema dance events, with different branches challenging one another. There were Zoom meetings full of laughter, shared ideas, discussions about joint projects, and the enthusiasm was palpable.
The UJW has made a huge difference to so many. It nurtured with love.
