By Nangamso Mabindla
21 August 2006

A RAY of sunlight on a rainy East London day shone down on 170 families when they received food relief from the Tzu-Chi Foundation on Sunday, 20 August.

The families, from the East London townships of Vergenoeg, Alphendale and Buffalo Flats, burst into song as members of the foundation, based in Taiwan, delivered food and clothing.

"We know that these items will only bring temporary relief to you, but we are happy that with what we have, we were able to play our role in assisting people where we could," said CEO of the foundation, Hon-Chi Shih, who said that the people of Taiwan had made donations from R10 upwards.

According to Shih, the Tzu-Chi Foundation, with the assistance of its volunteers, had donated food and clothing to over 10 000 families in South Africa. He called on other charity organisations and businesses to help in areas where there was a need.

"Our people can identify with this country's people. We also underwent similar struggles and received aid from other countries; that is why we also would like to play our part to assist people from other countries," said Shih.

Agnes Ndarana from the River of Life Ministries said that she was happy to have been part of the team that brought relief to her community. "I came into contact with one of the foundation's volunteers, Charlene Keir, and told her about the plight of our people," she said.

The River of Life Ministries went on a door-to-door campaign to earmark families that needed assistance the most. "Those families had to fill in a form so that they could be part of this programme. I am overjoyed that today is the day that our people receive these parcels; I didn't expect to see so many things given to us," she added.

Parcels were also donated to a home run by the River of Life Ministries, which provides shelter to needy children who are HIV-positive, poverty-stricken, or who have been abused.