City’s #Nappies4Dignity drive extended

07 June 2016

 

Johannesburg Water (JW), the City of Johannesburg’s water and sanitation utility, has extended its drive to collect one million adult nappies for the elderly and terminally ill members of the community to the end of July, 2016.

 

The #Nappies4Dignity campaign was launched during National Sanitation Week, an initiative driven by the National Department of Water and Sanitation, municipalities and water utilities throughout the country to raise the profile on issues water and sanitation. The week was observed between 16 and 20 May 2016.

Johannesburg Water Managing Director Lungile Dhlamini says, “ it is about dignity! Imagine your elderly loved one not having full control over their excretory functions. Think of the embarrassment when she/he must soils their clothes, having to offer an excuse to children or grandchildren. For the sake of their dignity most people will not say a word when they are in a sanitary compromised situation. Care facilities such as old age homes, hospices and home-based care organisations do try to supply nappies to those who cannot afford it. It is the observed indignity of them having to go without adult nappies for even a day that has motivated JW to start this campaign.”

Symbol for dignity: the #Nappies4Dignity campaign uses a white ribbon which symbolises a right to life and dignity. The ribbon is displayed and worn upside down to symbolise a different view/perspective to a right to life and dignity. Sanitation and hygiene issues which are important to the dignity of the elderly and terminally ill, are often overlooked or ignored.

“We have already received support from various shopping malls. Furthermore, we have used our offices and the social media through #Nappies4Dignity to encourage people to donate. The utility’s employees will take part in this year’s 702 Walk the Talk fun race under the theme “Walk4Dignity” To further raise the importance of the campaign” Dhlamini said.

The nappiescollected will be distributed to old age homes, hospices and home based care organisations in various parts of the city at the end of the campaign. All Johannesburg Wwater depots and selected shopping malls serve as drop-off points for the nappies.

Johannesburg Water has identified the following frail care facilities as beneficiaries: Andries Meyer in Eldorado Park; Frederic Place in Coronationville; Evalon House in Jeppestown; Nazareth House in Yeoville; Tswelopele Frail Centre in the Johannesburg inner city; Banakekeleni Hospice in Alexandra; Ahanang Parish Based Care and Mamohau Motshehetsi Care Support, both in Soweto; Chinese Old Aged Home in Belgravia; Jafta Village in Johannesburg South; and Floroma Old Aged Home in Roodepoort.

Help us reach the much needed target of 1 million nappies by donating as an individual or company and helping to spread the word by.

• Wearing a white ribbon upside down everyday

• Tweet and retweet using #Nappies4Dignity @jhbwater or on Facebook Johannesburg Water.

• Take a selfie, post it, and tag us using #Nappies4Dignity when donating.

• Invite family and friends to donate.

• Get your Society, Stokvel, and School or youth club to donate.

• Pledge on-line through www.johannesburgwater.co.za

JW is not appealing for cash. We require the nappies. The public must not be duped into criminal schemes that will piggy-back on this noble attempt. No official from JW or the City of Joburg has been mandated to raise funds for this campaign. Report any suspicious or corrupt activity that may derail this process at the City of Johannesburg’s anti-fraud hotline number 0800 002 587.

Please give us a call or email or simply mail your contribution to the address listed below. Feel free to contacts our Stakeholder Relations and Communications Department should you require more information: Ms Lindokuhle Chauke - 011 688 1400, Lindokuhle.chauke@jwater.co.za or Ms Mopeli Puleng - 011 688 1601,  Mopeli.puleng@jwater.co.za