Loren Shapiro and Kelly Wells launched a crowdfund to help Jose and Djino who have been excluded from lockdown relief efforts as they are foreign nationals.
Cape Town, South Africa (11 May 2020) – Jose and Djino are employed by ‘The Power and the Glory’ restaurant which was forced to close due to lockdown regulations. The guys are part of the family there, and favourites to many of the regulars that visit the restaurant.
The guys are also foreign nationals. With the restaurant being closed, Jose and Djino have lost their income. Being foreign nationals, they do not qualify for any of the government relief programmes. They began stressing as their money ran dry.
Loren Shapiro and Kelly Wells heard of their struggles and launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to help float the guys financially until they can get back to work. Their goal was to raise R40,000 but it has surpassed that and the ladies have managed to raise nearly R70,000.
The money will be used to cover rent and provide food for the guys and their families.
“We are reaching out to you today to help out our favourite mountain men, Jose and Djino, the friendly faces of The Power & The Glory, helpers for the homeless and your avid mountaineers. What with the restaurant industry being shut down, they haven’t been able to earn a salary. This, in addition to the red tape around pandemic relief for non-South Africans, means no money for food and rent.
We have therefore started a small crowdfunding campaign to help them out until the restrictions ease up. These two are our family, after all. For those of you out there who have the means, any contribution goes a long way. Their friendly smiles and hospitality have touched many so let’s pay it forward by contributing to their well-being during these difficult times. All money raised will be divided and go toward rent and food.”
The money will go a long way to support them through the lockdown. As of now, there is no timeline as to when things will change.
by 