About

The background

Please note: We are not acting for, or speaking on behalf of, the Saartjie Baartman Centre. We are a private initiative that raises funds annually for an identified worthy cause. This year, that cause is SBC. We want to assist the Centre in any way we can - but we do not claim to represent them. They speak for themselves. We, for our part, just want to do our bit to help them keep doing their amazing work.


The cause

The Saartjie Baartman Centre for abused women and children offers a new life to families that have been devastated by abuse. It is located in Manenberg, one of the Cape's poorest areas, and many of the women literally have no other option - they can go to the centre while they build a new life, or they can live on the street, or go back to their abusers. The Centre has lost much of its expected funding and, like many other NGOs and charities, is battling to secure money going forward. Now they are facing closure. If they don't get R100k by the end of May, they may be forced to close - and 20 families, small children and all, will be on the street. You can read more here.

The challenge

We want to raise R100k by the end of May. This means we need 200 people to pledge R500. That's 20 people per day.

(Obviously if you cannot afford R500, every bit helps!)

The collection

I'm running this drive independently of the Centre and have been taking in the donations to present in a lump sum at the end of May. This is purely for tracking purposes. However, some potential donors have said they feel more comfortable donating directly to the centre. This is completely understandable! You do not, after all, have any proof that I am not a mad fraudster. It does, however, make it difficult to see how our pledge is going, so if you are more comfortable with this option, *please* mail me at marelise@gmail.com to let me know that you donated, and how much. We'll be posting progress reports here every day, so keep checking in to see how it's going.

The banking details


If you want to donate directly to the centre, use the following details (and don't forget to send me your pledge so we can track donations and post updates!)

The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children
First National Bank 201509
Current account 62028179415
SWIFT Code: FIRNZAJJ

For corporates, tax receipts can be requested.

The conclusion

You are awesome. Thank you.