 DERRICK ROSSLIND CLJ (left) handing over the generous gift of fish donated by Mrs. Ulpha Robinson and her company, COMLIFE, to Omega Project representative, ALWYN MARAIS |
Cape Town – at the southern tip of Africa – is a thriving, modern metropolis typical of the best and worst of the eternal fractures that happen when a first and the developing third world collide.
Extreme wealth and desperate poverty exist within sight of each other and it’s here that the Grand Bailiwick’s Western Cape Commandery – and one family in particular – have recently made a difference.
Lavender Hill on the Cape Flats is an area littered with broken homes. There’s currently a murderous taxi war and community life is riddled with unemployment, gangsterism, substance abuse and hopelessness.
The Omegaview Community Project – a charity established in 2009 – is situated in Lavender Hill. Like most such charitable initiatives in this country, it faces major challenges to meet even its simplest objectives.
Derrick Rosslind CJR has made it his business to get involved and invoked his commitment to the Ideals of our Order to assist this very worthy cause.
“The Western Cape Commandery has the opportunity right in our own back yard,” said Derek. “So, Selena and I decided to do something about it.
“The core project is the work we’re doing to help set up of a vibrant after-school safe haven that keeps somewhere between 40 and 60 kids a day off these dangerous streets in the afternoons and feeds them. But most recently, we have reached into the broader community where basic nutrition amongst those most vulnerable – kids and the elderly – is an ongoing challenge.”
So, Derek – as he has done a number of times before – approached his contacts in the commercial fishing sector and arranged a sizeable donation (at least 2000 units) of high protein canned fish that will make a great many meals.
“One of the secrets is to get other role-players involved in these initiatives,” said Derrick. “Many companies have corporate responsibility programmes but there’s this gulf between willing donors and those that need it most. One of the things we can do – as Lazarites – is to grasp the opportunity and bridge that gap.”
The Omegaview Community Project needs all the help it can get. For the after school safe haven, (actually a donated shipping container in the small yard of a good Samaritan’s house), there are daily problems with funding electricity and gas, cooking utensils, buying building materials for maintenance and a desperately needed extension for storage and play room. There are a continuous shortage of fresh and dry and tinned food, cleaning chemicals, soap and toilet paper, rubbish bags, and simple things like board games.
But Derrick and Selina and friends are working on it……….
The Western Cape Commandery commends Derrick on his involvement in this initiative.