1. Every Little Bit Helps.
Many people feel that they can’t support the effort because they have only a little to give. One single shirt means one person owns something to keep themselves warm. One loaf of bread feeds five people. One rand buys a facecloth. Every single cent helps.
2. Nothing Means Nothing.
When people leave with nothing, they have nothing. Not a bandage to wrap around a bloodied head, not a phone to ask for help, not a pot to cook a meal, not a kettle to boil water. They literally stand in what they have.
3. Don’t Wait For Help.
Do not wait for the authorities to step in. Immediate help is needed by the displaced, they cannot wait for three days for aid agencies to react. Initially they require medical treatment, food, water and a blanket.
4. Convenience Food.
Donations need to be in the form of convenience foods. The displaced don’t have pocket knives and utensils with which to open tins or cook food. They have no access to water or heating methods. Foods packaged in tin cans with a ring pull are best. Canned fish, meat or beans are most useful as they provide protein. Bottles of water are a necessity.
5. Bucket Loads.
Buckets are useful for people because they can use it to get water for personal hygiene, washing their clothes and as a means of storing what little they might have to store.
6. Men vs. Women
There are more men than women who are displaced. They require clothing, and they favour shoes over sandals, especially those who intend to return home.
7. Keep It Clean
Having nowhere to perform ablutions is soul-destroying. Portable toilets and access to fresh water is of paramount importance. It obviously halts the spread of disease but it also buoys the flagging spirits of the people.
8. Back To Basics
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, facecloths and towels are just some of the basics that help people to freshen up and feel more confident. Disposable nappies are helpful for mothers who have no resources with which to wash towelling nappies.
9. Don’t Judge
The harsh reality is that the people you are helping may not have the same attitude and approach to life as you. They may think that it’s okay to load their pockets up with whatever is available even though there are a thousand people behind them waiting to be helped too. Motivations can’t really be linked to morals when you’re dealing with the dispossessed. You have to bite your judgmental tongue while maintaining some semblance of fairness, smile and encourage the person to move along. You are there to facilitate provision of supplies not to train anyone in refugee etiquette.
10. Dignity.
Don’t take photographs unless you’re a press photographer. Respect the dignity of people who are in dire straits. Nobody wants to be photographed at their worst. Relief workers are there to relieve the misery, not to add to it.
11. Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
Crowds can get out of hand very quickly when they think there isn’t going to be enough to go around. When your gut tells you that the mood of the crowd is changing, you better listen. If you feel you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, walk away calmly. Do not rely on the authorities to help. Just leave. It isn’t worth endangering your life for a table or a bucket. Let the crowds take whatever they want.
12. Say Thanks.
Thanks to Allaudin and Haji and Gift of the Givers; All at ABSA Corporate Johannesburg City Centre; Woolworths Engen Van Buuren Road Bedfordview; Pick ‘n Pay Bedford Centre; All Nation International Ministry and the many, many ordinary South African citizens. Your help has greatly contributed to alleviating the misery of the displaced.
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