My association with this Society has spanned just over 50 years and I can proudly declare that I am the longest serving member. I was initiated into welfare work when I was still in primary school by Mr G. Mangrey whom we regard as the “father of the child welfare movement” in the then rural Inanda. The Ramkisoon family found a golden thread in the fabric of social welfare because my parents and siblings had benefited to some extent from its largeness. My other seven brothers had been members of this august body for many years.
Due to work commitments they have ceased to be members but still are strongly associated with our organization.
In the past, welfare organizations were based on racial origins, hence our Society was called Inanda Indian Welfare Society. Over the years the name underwent many changes from Inanda Child Welfare Society, to Inanda Child and Family Welfare Society, then to Duffs Road and Districts Child and Family Welfare Society, and now in keeping with universal name change to Child Welfare South Africa: Duffs Road. We are waiting for confirmation before its formal adoption.
We lived in Inanda and this Welfare Society provided us with an opportunity to serve the community. The Society provides services which include food relief, the provision of clothing and furniture, assistance with grant applications, conflict resolution, funeral expenses in exceptional circumstances and referrals to other institutions.
Our period of greatest activity was in the aftermath of the 1985 Inanda Unrest where our people were terrorized by Blacks and had to flee with just the clothes they had on. Elsewhere in this brochure we have devoted some space to this blight in our history.
As a voluntary organization we would not have survived without the regular donations in cash and kind from noble and generous friends and families in our midst. The important role played by some of our business houses cannot be over emphasized. Over the years our patrons have also played a pivotal role in assisting our organization.
Our greatest single event in our calendar each year is the Diwali Hamper distribution. From a budget of some 30 pounds in the 1940’s it has exceeded the staggering quarter million rand mark in 2012 when we provided some one thousand hampers to destitute families. These huge amounts are indicative of the extra mouths that have to bed fed and worse still how food prices have rocketed over the decades. Retrenchment, rising unemployment, affirmative action and the economic slowdown in our land, amongst others, are strong contributing factors that force our volunteer members to go that extra mile in assisting the needy. Race, colour, ethnicity and language do not come into the equation when the recipients of these hampers are considered. After all, hunger does not discriminate.
Funds are solicited from individuals and business houses on a regular basis. Some donors contribute by debit orders on a monthly basis. The Society has had many fund raising events like the Annual Charity Golf Days, Barnyard Theatre shows, Door to Door Collection Drives and Diwali Hamper Drives. The Society currently supports at least 60 to 80 families per month on a rotational basis. Each food voucher is worth R300.0.
Our current membership of the Society is 26. I am pleased to report that we have more women than men as members and we are proud to have several husband and wife teams that lend their support. These men and women make huge sacrifices to attend to the various needs of the indigent families we serve. To our donors, I am eternally greatful.
The celebration of 70 years of continuous voluntary service is being marked by today’s events. Our donors are an indispensable group of benefactors whose identification with our aims and objectives is greatly appreciated. I therefore wish to use this brochure as a means to express my gratitude to all sponsors, donors, helpers, well-wishers and patrons without whom our work in serving the downtrodden would be impossible.
My term of presidency nearing a decade, has been one of fulfillment, joy and the passion to help those that are unable to help themselves. While I have retired from old mutual after almost four decades, I will continue to serve this Society in whatever position the membership may thrust upon me.
God bless you all