A lot of people in South Africa have become homeless and vulnerable as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the Gary Kirsten Foundation (GKF) is making a valuable and significant contribution to poor households and families in the Khayelitsha area. The foundation has raised close to R20,000 so far to help the needy with food parcels.

GKF through its website stated that it is working closely with partners and fellow cricket lovers to raise money for those children and families suffering under current circumstances.

‘Many of the families from GKF-affiliated schools in Makhaza have been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many parents are unable to work and earn an income at this time. Many families, and especially children, have been left without food due to the loss of income, and also because the lunches they get at school each day are currently not being provided. The [f]oundation has committed to purchasing grocery vouchers for the families who are most in need. We are asking our partners and followers to join with us to help us feed the children and families in Makhaza’, GKF added.

GKF has for a number of years been attracting children in the Khayelitsha area through cricket; they are also trying to grow the game in the country’s townships. GKF took a number of young, less privileged children to the UK in 2019 during the ICC Cricket World Cup, with the founder of GKF, Gary Kirsten, accompanying the group to Proteas’ matches at the event, while the children also got to meet some of their heroes during a training session.

Source: SACricketmag

Photo source: Chris Eason