Annual message from Seema Naidoo, Founder and CEO of the Hope to Heal Foundation

2020, A year that will go down in history, the COVID-19 Pandemic gripped the world and stopped it in its track. The cruelty of the global pandemic seems limitless, whereby so many lives are affected.

To contain the spread of the virus State Leaders had to bring countries under lockdown.  Businesses hard hit by the lockdown, had to shut doors resulting in thousands more finding themselves jobless leaving a devesting impact to millions of families globally.  

Without a doubt, this has been the most challenging year for all of us. From Start-ups to large enterprises, every business and industry was affected. Hope to Heal Foundation experienced a great financial loss and the demand for support nationally, was greater than ever expected. With no external or State funding, we were challenged but ensured services for survivors of human trafficking, gender-based violence and child abuse were priority. We also stepped in to stave of the hunger in Belhar, Western Cape, serving over 120 000 meals and distributed over 2000 food relief hampers in Riverlea, Johannesburg South.

It is critical that combating human trafficking, GVB and Child Abuse remains a focus of governments, law enforcement, civil society workers, and the private sector.

Sadly, the pandemic has not only affected the economy, but it also created a breeding ground for criminals. Globally we have seen a surge in Human Trafficking, Gender-Based Violence, Femicide, and Child Abuse. The global recession has left the most vulnerable at risk to be exploited for profit.

While people are focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important for parents to ensure children are supervised in public areas, and to be aware of fake sports scholarships. Yong adults seeking employment are vulnerable to lucrative fake job offers.

As globally people are trying to navigate through the pandemic rocked world, combatting Human trafficking, GVB and Child Abuse should remain the primary focus for State Leaders, Justice System, Civil Society Workers, and the public. Communities play a vital role in reporting crimes or suspicious behaviors. By doing so, you might save a life and end social ills in your community.

Being kind can change a person’s life in an instant.

It is extremely difficult for many to be positive during these uncertain times. It is normal for people to have anxiety, fear, stress, not only of fear of contracting the virus but also due to adjusting our lives to the new norm of social distancing, sanitizing, facial mask, working remotely, restriction of movement, and lack of physical contact with families and friends.

The inner circle of bereaved are very much alone in the aftermath of a death. They mourn without friends and family members, who would have come to lighten the burden of grief. Funerals and wakes now taking place in empty rooms. We extend our deepest condolences to families globally who lost their loved ones.

It is especially important to be kind and supportive to people. Your act of kindness and small gestures can change a person’s life in an instant.

The Festive Season & the 2^nd wave of COVID-19

The Festive Season has arrived and so has the 2^nd wave of the virus, whereby many countries are under further lockdown due to massive rise in cases. Everything will be different this year, family vacations, gatherings, parties, travelling – all these things will be very restricted. If people are negligent and do not follow protocol, the virus could spread like wildfire, affecting the already strained medical health facilities.

We extend our love to all frontline workers, especially doctors and nurses who risk their lives daily and those of their loved ones to ensure the sick are receiving medical services.

To keep ourselves and that of our loved ones safe, we are encouraging everyone to continue to practice social distancing, ensure facial masks are used when in public space. 

Special Thanks

Management and team of Hope to Heal Foundation would like to thank the following people / organisations / businesses who have stepped in to support our projects / programmes during these extremely challenging times. Through their support, we could continue our work in serving victims and survivors of Human trafficking, GVB, Child Abuse, provide food relief through food hampers and a feeding scheme project. Your sponsorship in many ways has brought a huge amount of help to our cause and has uplifted the most vulnerable.

Glynne Wolman, you are a true definition of an Angel, always stepping in to help selflessly. Thank you kindly for all your contribution towards the Action for Freedom Project (counter trafficking) and securing us a partnership that has elevated the Action for Freedom project to the next level, providing more services to victims and survivors of human trafficking.

You also played an important role to partner us with Community Action Network Waverly for COVID-19 food relief. Thank you kindly to the community of Waverley, through your kind donations, we distributed over 2000 hampers (Food, Fresh vegetables, Baby hampers and Hygiene packs) to families in Riverlea, South of Gauteng.

During an outreach, we met a blind lady with a rare breast condition. Without any hesitation we started sourcing specialized medical treatment so she could receive the necessary medical treatment so she can live a healthier life, free from pain and discomfort. After numerous emails to various doctors, we received a positive email from the ever so kind Professor Carol Ann Benn. After the first consultation, Prof Benn arranged a consolation for the lady with Prof Elias Ndobe, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.

As we all know that specialized medical care is extremely expensive. We are profoundly grateful for Prof Carol Anne Benn and Prof Elias Ndobe to take on the case, pro-bono. They will be working together on this case, ensuring that the lady receives special care before and after surgery. Thank you, kindly Prof Carol Anne Benn, and Prof Elias Ndobe, for stepping in to give the lady a new lease in her already challenged life.

Telecommunication plays crucial part when providing services to victims and survivors of Human Trafficking, GVB and Child Abuse and can so be very costly for a non-profit organisation. We would like to thank Zola and Ntombincani Bessie Mkumia for sponsoring the Hope to Heal Foundation a fully paid telephone contract.

The Manager of Pick n Pay Constantia Village Cape Town, Mrs Dilnawaaz Kariemah Obaray Naidoo, Lynn Hill Hope to Heal Foundation Parton and Ambassador, Luella Naidoo from Jezriel Holdings and Neren Ramkubare, Manager of Simba

Thank you kindly to Lynn Hill for securing Pick n Pay Constantia Village Cape Town as a donor for our feeding project in Belhar, Western Cape, Mrs Dilnawaaz Naidoo for your partnership in the feeding project. Neren Ramkubare and Luella Naidoo for your donations towards the feeding project. Your combined efforts enabled us to serve over 120 000 meals to the vulnerable in Belhar.

Thank you kindly to our Partners, Government, and Civil Society organisations, Media and Production Companies for covering the Hope to Heal Foundation’s work.

Finally, a special thanks to the Hope to Heal Foundation’s Team for all your efforts during these incredibly challenging times. Regardless of the challenges you relentlessly went out risking your health to ensure the needs of the most vulnerable were taken care off.

There is no greater example of the importance of supporting the Hope to Heal Foundation who provides critical support to victims and survivors of Human Trafficking, GVB and Child Abuse. Investing in the lives of people is much needed and your donations big or small will enable us to reach our full potential in the Counter Trafficking project, GVB and Child abuse. We are partnering with corporate, government bodies, the private sector, and other organizations around the world to bring about change to end Human Trafficking and the social ills of this world.

We look forward to your continued support in the new year.

As we head towards the Festive Season and New Year, we would like to extend our best wishes to you and your loved ones. May the spirits of the Festive Season remind us the reason for the season and that is LOVE, something that is much needed during these extremely uncertain times.

Yours in Hope, Seema Naidoo

Banking Details: First National Bank Current account 62791232459 Branch Code 259605 Tel: +27 78 906 7461 Email: info@hopetoheal.org.za