Life Changer launched their ‘Life Boat’ homeless vouchers to support the Pietermaritzburg homeless community, and hundreds of connections have been made.
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (14 April 2021) – Life Changer is a homeless care organisation working to rehabilitate and reunite vulnerable or homeless people with their families and support structures. To do this, they need to be able to engage with the people personally; this inspired the launch of the Life Boat Voucher.
The Life Boat Voucher is a new currency on the streets of Pietermaritzburg. When a vulnerable person has a voucher, they are directed to the Life Boat resource centre, where they can cash it in for meaningful help. It’s the first step to changing lives in a long-lasting way.
The vouchers cost R10 and can be handed to any person in need of assistance. The person is then able to use the voucher to access a meal, an item of clothing or time with a social worker.
Life Changer recently shared a Facebook post showing just how many vouchers had been cashed-in, to date. Each voucher represents a life changed in one way or another.
“Each one of these vouchers represents a person who has been given a meal, or an item of clothing, or some toiletries, or time with a devoted social worker… Thank you for your ongoing support. Because you bought a voucher, a connection was made and a vulnerable person was shown humanity and care. And because we were supported by YOU we were able to dream a little bigger into this work and step a little bolder into this calling.” – Life Changer
Should you purchase vouchers, you are also able to track them to see if yours made a difference. If you wish to purchase vouchers or find out more about the initiative, you can do so via the website here.
There have been a few success stories; here is one from Life Changer Co-Founder Caroline.
“A young man called Muzi came to our door asking for help. He seemed desperate. But I, like many of you, don’t like giving cash. So I gave him a voucher and some food. I said, “If you really need help, use this voucher, there is a social worker there who can talk to you and we can help you.” I placed the power to get meaningful help in his hands.
My heart leapt today, loading up some of last week’s vouchers (this was the second “upload” from last week!) and there was Muzi’s voucher. Number 2441. Not that I needed convincing, but these vouchers, and the contact they bring, can literally change a person’s life. One day, one step, one voucher at a time.”
Take a look at how the voucher works below. If you are not able to buy a voucher, you can donate to the cause as well, helping them with clothing, food, toiletries, and so much more. They also welcome skill-sharing, so if you have a skill that could assist the organisation, it is very welcome.
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