SOWETHO
“AIAIA established a relationship with this community a number of years ago, at a time in which they were actually living in a public garbage dump.”
AIAIA food parcels help to feed families amidst the squalor of Sowetho
The informal settlement of Sowetho (formerly known as Itipini) is a community which faces major challenges on a daily basis. The men, women, and children of Sowetho reside in extremely sub-standard housing, located in an environment that has no sanitation service and only one water source for 100+ people.
AIAIA established a relationship with this community a number of years ago, at a time in which they were living on a public garbage dump. With an increase in crime in 2012 the local government forced the community from their shacks. The government bulldozed the settlement including a small clinic and a day care. Residents scattered and struggled to find housing.
A small portion of the community was relocated to19 buildings of government housing, where 100+ people live directly beneath a power grid. High unemployment, crime, drug and alcohol abuse and insufficient food are a daily way of life for the residents.
AIAIA provides 80 food parcels quarterly to the Sowetho community.
Project Details
Project: Arm In Arm In Africa has committed to a quarterly distribution of 60 family food parcels along with a daily hot meal served on site.
Area: Eastern Cape, South Africa
Assistance: Food and education
Local Impact: All food for these two programs is purchased in South Africa, in turn, benefiting the local economy.