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0 viewsWhat would happen if every South African made a real effort to help someone else? Not by giving a R5 coin to a beggar, or dismissing a car guard after paying him, but by having a real conversation with that person, finding out about them, and making a phone call. One small action can help another to have a better life.
Ask Helen Lieberman, the founder of Ikamva Labantu, an organisation that helps thousands of disadvantaged people living in poverty in South Africa. ‘Philanthropist’ doesn’t quite sum up this extraordinary woman who has spent the past 50 years helping, inspiring and motivating others. Every person in need is worth an effort, and Lieberman’s philosophy is simple – ask yourself, what can I do to help?
“I don’t have fancy things”, she laughs, “but I don’t care, because I realise the magic in my life”.
There are hundreds of stories and testimonies of people that have been affected by Lieberman and Ikamva Labantu. Schools, senior and youth centres, crèches, programmes for the disabled and skills training initiatives have played important roles in the lives of those who are a part of them. There are also the stories about the individuals whose lives have changed because of one action. Those stories can be told, but what is important is doing things now.
“It’s not about talking about it. It’s about doing it. Everything is right front of you. It really is that simple. We don’t realise how powerful we are. Forget about the government, the institutions, because we can each make a gesture that will prove more powerful than we are”, says Helen. Take the story of Constance, for example.
Constance Matanhire is 65 years old, and has been coming to South Africa from Zimbabwe to sell handmade items since 1980. She makes the three-day long bus trip two or three times a year, laden with bags full of tablecloths, placemats, serviettes and aprons, which she sells door-to-door every day until her bags are empty, then she returns home to Harare. She supports children in her extended family as well as her own orphaned grandchildren. When she’s away, her husband James, 84, looks after them.
Matanhire is part of a group of women who sew and make items in Zimbabwe. Because of eye problems, she can’t sew anymore which is why she is the one who makes frequent long journeys across the border. There is also more profit to be made in South Africa (usually between R2000 and R3000 each trip). When she returns to Zimbabwe, all of the profits are shared equally amongst the group who are also struggling to support large families.
Sometimes Matanhire is given old clothes, which she also shares with the group. “When I get something, I know that we are all going to enjoy it together”, she explains.
It’s not easy selling door-to-door, but she perseveres, going out every day with her bags full. Lieberman makes orders of tablecloths and aprons which she often gives as gifts, and is quick to recommend Matanhire’s wares to others.
“The time has come where we need to understand philanthropy – it’s not giving, but building self-interest, pride, responsibility and reaching out. Helping is not about money. It has shifted from financial to human,” states an empassioned Lieberman.
Why then, don’t we challenge ourselves to make one small connection today? We all know people who know more people. Companies call it ‘marketing and promotions’ and usually spend millions on it. If each one of us told just one friend about a Constance Matanhire we know, and they told someone else, we could all affect the circumstances of one life – which will have a ripple effect on the lives of many others.
If you are/have been a connector and helped someone just by telling their story to others, we want to know about it. Please email it to webeditor@supernews.co.za.
Images 1-3: Constance Matanhire showing off her beautifully handcrafted items that she sells door-to-door in Cape Town.