Community project helps distressed residents

Johannesburg – An inner- city organisation, CAN Collective, has been established to address the needs of people who find themselves in dire circumstances. 

  The project falls under the Gauteng Together initiative, operating as a community action network (CAN), made up of individuals and organisations with prominent influence, infrastructure and networks operating in the Joburg inner-city.

  Inner-city CAN administration leader Jean Veitch says they work with businesses, residents and NGOs to provide community relief to those in need. 

  “We believe in collective action rooted in solidarity, and are mobilising support so that no one is left behind during the pandemic and beyond. We collaborate, maximise and channel efforts to achieve greater results. We are also forming CANs in the suburbs surrounding the inner- city to bring additional support to the communities requiring assistance. Our work includes networking and connecting people with the aim of forming micro CANs, so that communities can leverage their skills and resources to help themselves. These micro CANs funnel right down to building level,” Veitch says.

  Veitch adds that the organisation has registered about 15 micro CANs under the Inner-city Collective, with more in the pipeline. 

  “Our approach is based on inclusion and engagement. By linking up with leaders and emerging community champions in each micro CAN, residents of buildings begin to see themselves as stakeholders in addressing needs. Collectively, we are then able to provide assistance to the most vulnerable members of each mini-community through peers in their own communities.”

  Veitch adds that one of the micro CANs is focussed on assisting foreign nationals with documentation needs, improving their chances of building a life in South Africa. 

  “The same CAN has been working with young sex workers in the hope of giving them greater purpose and value, and provide them with options to get them off the streets,” Veitch says. 

  The Hillbrow CAN has taken street children under its care. One is 28-year-old Thabang Movunelela, who has lived at the Twilight Centre for 10 years, helping youths who were brought to the centre over the years; now a vital part of the CAN distribution network.

  He said: “At first I thought Covid-19 would be a challenge for street children who beg outside shops because now there is less money. I see people still wearing nice clothes, but when you hear their story, like that of a woman with a one-year-old child with no food and clothes for the baby. When I see people coming here to cry, it opens my mind; there are people who need help. I’ve learnt a lot from this food distribution.”

  Veitch says one of their long-term initiatives is re-birthing of the Twilight Children’s Home in Hillbrow as a youth street outreach programme. 

  “The aim is to enable homeless youths to exit street life by giving them the best chance at life. The programme will provide shelter, food, a learning centre, a library, life skills workshops, emotional wellbeing activities and a boxing gym. Twilight Hillbrow will be a pilot project for this concept with a view to launching these community centres in other suburbs within Joburg’s inner-city.”

  To support the collective send an email to Veitch on jean@innercitycollective.org.