September 2018
Dear S.O.A.P Friends and Supporters,
S.O.A.P. Harare is currently supporting 220 pensioners in and around Harare. The criteria for support are:
Minimum of 66 years of age.
An income of US$200.00 or less
And having no family able to assist.
We have not changed the rule that a pensioner living in an old age home cottage is only supported if they do not receive food from that home’s kitchen.
The monthly cost of each food parcel is, on average, US$35.00 and all items are sourced locally.
We are very pleased to report that S.O.A.P. Harare’s financial base is currently sound insofar as there are sufficient funds to cover operating costs up to and including December 2018. In order to avoid leaving too much money in the bank, we have purchased “long life/dry” goods and paid forward for the eggs, chicken pieces and vegetables for this period. This ensures that S.O.A.P. Harare’s investment is in goods and not at risk in a bank.
At the height of the Zimbabwe financial problems we supported close to 500 pensioners. As mentioned above, we now support 220 pensioners. The number will continue to decrease as each year the age of eligibility will be increased by a year. Thus next year the age will be 67 ensuring that we continue to support the targeted “group”.
So although the numbers, of pensioners supported, are decreasing, the plight of pensioners has not changed and S.O.A.P.’s supporting role remains essential to their survival. We request, therefore, that our generous donors continue to support the critical role that S.O.A.P. fulfils.
THANK YOU to you all.
Sincerely,
Deleen du Toit
SOAP HARARE
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