Addressing homeless problem in Paarl
2011-08-25
WE see them everywhere. People who seem to have lost their way and end up on the streets. Some try to act as car-guards and some just come to ask you for a few cents. And many ‘good Samaritans’ do hand money over to them, but this money is mostly spent on everything but food. Your loose change is definitely not going to solve the problem and in fact may make matters worse. Now, Monte Christo Miqlat’s Homeless Care Ministry has launched an initiative called “The Voucher Project” which they hope will be a solution that will not only address the immediate hunger and cold of homeless people, but could reach the root of the problem of homeless individuals. The Voucher Project consists of R5 vouchers which are sold in booklets of six (R30 per booklet) at sales points throughout Paarl. The Paarl public are encouraged to purchase these booklets, keeping them at hand at all times. Thus, when homeless people ask for money, a voucher is given to them instead. These vouchers are redeemable for either food (currently served at two central locations at Monte Christo in Van der Lingen Street and at Tiffany’s in Lantana) or one piece of clothing from the Hospice shop in Paarl. In time Monte Christo Miqlat also hopes to add a night-shelter option to the Voucher Project. Most importantly, when a homeless person come to redeem this voucher, their names and details are taken into the MCM database to start building a relationship and keep track of them. It is estimated that there are more than 2000 homeless people in Paarl. They are encouraged to join the various worker teams with which MCM provides garden services to individuals or street cleaning services to the Municipality. As trust is built, they can be counseled to start the long road to taking their rightful place as productive citizens of society. “We encourage every person in Paarl to support the Voucher Project and assist us to address the homeless problem in our town in a constructive way,” said MCM marketer, Franci Malan. “We will have succeeded in our mission to eradicate poverty from the streets of Paarl when each of us drives around with a voucher booklet and can find no one to give it to. “Join us and let’s make a constructive difference.” Booklets are available at Monument Motors, Vineyard SuperSpar, Zomerlust Spar, Kikka Coffee Shop, Juno Restaurant, Bean in Love Coffee Shop, Monte Christo Coffee Shop, Strooidak Church office, Paarl Family Church office, 7 Days Foodzone, Northern Paarl Checkers, KwikSpar Northern Paarl and the office of Fruits Unlimited. For further information, contact MCM on 021 872 1179, 083 872 9626, fax 086-299-0732, or email fullcirclemin@gmail. com or website www.mcmmiqlat.com
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