Musadafin Foundation received a new truck, worth R860 000 from the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT). Seen here during the ribbon cutting ceremony, are, from left, Rasheeda Motala from the SAMCT, Rashida Surve, 75, Mustadafin founding member, Nazlie Behardien from Mustadafin, Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, director of Mustadafin, Gayatun-Nisa Booley-Swart, 87, (seated) Mustadafin founding member, Faried Boltman, trustee of SAMCT, Yusuf Patel, 73, Mustadafin founding member, and Moegtar Jainodien, Mustadafin treasurer.
Image: Hazel Allies-Husselman
Mustadafin Foundation’s life-saving work of feeding nearly 28 000 people daily, has been given a boost, thanks to a generous donation of a truck from the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT).
The truck, valued at R860 000, was handed over at a ceremony on Wednesday April 23, at Mustadafin’s office in Bridgetown.
Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, director of Mustadafin, said their work was hampered when one of their vehicles was hijacked last year.
“It impacted us a lot. We deliver food to 27 910 people daily. Our driver was hijacked on his way back from doing deliveries. He was so traumatised by this. Besides our food distribution, we also do disaster relief, and we have to be ready at any time. We lost a bakkie in the hijacking, but now we have been blessed with a truck.”
She expressed her organisation’s gratitude, saying: “I was introduced to SAMCT and I reached out to them for assistance. We are so grateful to the trust for opening the door for us. We would never have had the money to buy a truck as an organisation. Their generous donation also makes our task lighter, because now we only have to do one trip, instead of four when doing deliveries. We’ve already used the truck when we assisted with disaster relief. I am so grateful and would like to say shukran to SAMCT and hope that we can continue our collaboration,” Ms Johnstone-Cassiem said.
Mustadafin Foundation's director, Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, got behind the steering wheel of their new truck, thanks to generous sponsorship of the South African Muslim Charitable Trust.
Image: Hazel Allies-Husselman
Rasheeda Motala, SAMCT’s social responsibility officer, said the trust did not hesitate to assist Mustadafin.
“Reaching needy children across a wide area daily was becoming increasingly difficult for the Mustadafin Foundation, which has long been reliant on an aging vehicle to service its widespread early childhood development centres and its learning centre. Learning of the organisation’s logistics issue, the SAMCT was quick to respond, sponsoring a new vehicle to ensure the seamless continuance of meal provision,” Ms Motala said.
Faried Boltman, a SAMCT trustee, agreed that the work of Mustadafin is important.
“The organisation’s support work on behalf of other bodies, and especially poverty stricken communities is crucial. We, as the SAMCT are pleased to be able to partner with Mustadafin Foundation by sponsoring a new vehicle, thus enabling it to more effectively serve its widespread communities and deliver major social and humanitarian projects on behalf of historically disadvantaged individuals and communities in the Western Cape,” Mr Boltman said.
The SAMCT was started in 2008, as a result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds. The trust provides funding, services and other resources to improve the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has provided assistance throughout South Africa - irrespective of race or religion - and continues to support organisations working in the field of healthcare, social development, poverty alleviation and education.
Rasheeda Motala, SAMCT’s social responsibility officer, said the trust did not hesitate to assist Mustadafin.
“Reaching needy children across a wide area daily was becoming increasingly difficult for the Mustadafin Foundation, which has long been reliant on an aging vehicle to service its widespread early childhood development centres and its learning centre. Learning of the organisation’s logistics issue, the SAMCT was quick to respond, sponsoring a new vehicle to ensure the seamless continuance of meal provision,” Ms Motala said.
Faried Boltman, a SAMCT trustee, agreed that the work of Mustadafin is important.
“The organisation’s support work on behalf of other bodies, and especially poverty stricken communities is crucial. We, as the SAMCT are pleased to be able to partner with Mustadafin Foundation by sponsoring a new vehicle, thus enabling it to more effectively serve its widespread communities and deliver major social and humanitarian projects on behalf of historically disadvantaged individuals and communities in the Western Cape,” Mr Boltman said.
The SAMCT was started in 2008, as a result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds. The trust provides funding, services and other resources to improve the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has provided assistance throughout South Africa - irrespective of race or religion - and continues to support organisations working in the field of healthcare, social development, poverty alleviation and education.