St Francis Anglican Church in Parkview is reopening its shower scheme for the hundreds of homeless people in the area who cannot wash themselves or their clothes.
Johannesburg, South Africa (7 June 2021) – Imagine the feeling of taking a hot steamy shower after a LONG cold day. A few minutes of calm, privacy, and relaxation. For most people, that is a daily ritual. However, for unhoused individuals, it is a privilege.
But the St Francis Anglican Church in Parkview, Johannesburg is changing that… again.
The church is reopening its shower scheme for the hundreds of people experiencing homelessness in the area who cannot wash themselves or their clothes. The scheme closed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of funding.
Esther Karimi Malia, volunteer and elected Parish Council Member of the church’s social concerns portfolio, and Andrew Forrest, fundraising volunteer, thought the best solution would be to bring this shower facility directly to this neighbourhood.
“Of all the homeless people in Parkview, most have no option but to make the streets their home. For these people a hot shower is a rare find. We therefore started this initiative. If you’re living on the streets, and you’re feeling filthy, you can jump into our shower unit,” Malia says.
“Cleanliness is a matter of dignity and health, and will help them find work.”
However… To make this dream a reality is quite costly. Malia says they’re only equipped with two gas-heated showers, washbasins, a washing machine and a washing line.
They still need cash donations to pay a shower supervisor and or cleaner, donations of new or used towels, face flannels, washbags, combs. Also, toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste, washing powder, floor cleaners, deodorants, shaving razors and mops.
“The scheme will be ongoing, so ongoing donations are needed. Any donation, however small, will make a difference,” Malia says.
Toiletries can be dropped off at the church office at 46 Tyrone Avenue, Parkview.
Cash donations should go to the church’s account:
Reference: Showers;
Account name: Parkview St Francis;
Bank: Standard;
Account number: 000496502.
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