The South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) came to the rescue of a community-based organisation in Lenasia, which was fast running out of medical equipment to support people in need, donating wheelchairs, hospital beds, and pressure mattresses, collectively valued at R765 000.
Fountain of Inspiration provides vulnerable members of the community with essential medical equipment, significantly improving their level of care. Its area of operation is extensive and includes Lenasia, Lenasia South, Zakariyya Park, Thembilehle, Lehae, Vlakfontein, Ennerdale, Migsor Manor, Eldorado Park, Klipsruit, Soweto, Bosmont, Newclare, Riverlea, Westbury, Coronationville, Maraisburg, Florida, Roodepoort, and parts of Johannesburg.
SAMCT representative, Mr Gaff Osman, said of the equipment donation: “Demand for the organisation’s equipment provision assistance is growing exponentially, although funding levels have remained largely unchanged, resulting in the urgent need for additional funding for the purchase of, especially, wheelchairs, hospital beds and pressure mattresses.”
Fountain of Inspiration comprises volunteers working to make a difference in the lives of the needy and disadvantaged. Its outreach extends to those living with disabilities and to supporting those requiring medical equipment, delivering real support to the people who need it most – the physically and medically challenged community. The organisation is totally dependent on community donations for survival.
Mr Osman said that during past years, the organisation had assisted well in excess of 1,100 people with hospital beds from a pool of just 150 beds, and in recent months had loaned out 293 wheelchairs – averaging 25 a month.
“Currently, Fountain of Inspiration has 147 hospital beds in use, but demand is growing exceptionally quickly, leading to concerns about being able to meet demand. Similarly, the rate of return of wheelchairs is necessarily slow as such equipment is required for long-term use, rendering the organisation extremely short on future supply capabilities,” he stressed.
“Learning of the organisation’s critical shortages and the vital work it does to assist the neediest communities with medical equipment, the SAMCT was pleased to be in a position to assist, providing R765 000 towards the purchase of additional stocks of wheelchairs, hospital beds and pressure mattresses,” Mr Osman added.
The SAMCT was created in 2008, the 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 organisation provides funding, services, and other resources to improve the lives of the vulnerable, deprived, and disadvantaged. It has successfully delivered sizeable assistance solutions throughout South Africa – irrespective of race or religion – and continues to work to support needy organisations in the fields of healthcare, social development, poverty alleviation, and education.
The organisation has long served as a pivotal conduit for the channelling of funding, vital services, and resources to approved public benefit organisations, and remains committed to catalysing positive change and creating a lasting impact on the development and upliftment of, especially, disadvantaged individuals and communities. Its funds are distributed to help improve the health and development of deserving people and organisations, irrespective of race or religion.
The organisation is acclaimed for its transformative role, directing substantial donations towards multi-faceted initiatives, spanning education, poverty alleviation, empowerment, community upliftment, and sustainability programmes in its quest to foster social equity and ensure the well-being of the needy.
Mr Osman said: “Given the organisation’s dire shortage of necessary medical equipment, the SAMCT is proud to have partnered with Fountain of Inspiration, ensuring its ability to continue its most laudable humanitarian efforts in the interests of serving this country’s disadvantaged communities.”
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For more information about the SAMCT, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Executive
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za
www.samct.co.za