Urgent donations appeal for FATC’s ANGEL PROJECT

Who are we?
Based in Emakhazeni Mpumalanga, The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative (FATC) is one of South Africa’s most respected and reputable Arts organisations, with a 25-year history of innovative, socially responsible work that is deeply committed to arts activism and social justice. 

Why do we need to act?
The South African constitution states that everyone has the right to have access to healthcare services, reproductive healthcare, sufficient food and water and social security or social assistance if they are unable to support themselves and their dependents.
 Prior to lockdown and the shutdown of the economy, Mpumalanga’s youth unemployment was estimated at 89%, locally unemployment across all ages was above 40%, HIV infection and prevalence was also above 40%, with 1 in 4 citizens dependent on social grants. The alarming statistics and deep challenges characterising Mpumalanga and confronting the local Emakhazeni community have been exponentially amplified with the shutdown of the large tourism sector in the area, the total closure of the informal economy and the slowdown in the agricultural and mining sectors. This has additionally resulted in lost opportunities for casual labour, through which many citizens, including local arts and culture practitioners, were able to eke out a living.
 FATC has conducted baseline research within its beneficiary network and has discovered that a large number of households have not been able to access government relief programmes or are struggeling with the new demands of a Covid-19 reality.
 Across all communities it is important to note that many institutions that are now closed, such as Disability Centres, Schools and Boarding Schools (all local farm children for ecample are usually housed at the large scale Emakhazeni Boarding school) provided meals to their respective constituents. With this support no longer available the burden has been transferred to already struggling families, that now found themselves out of work or with reduced income and additional responsibilities to carry. 

How will we do it?
FATC already has extensive community support that has been galvanised through its extensive arts programming structure. This support will be drawn on to realise the project. FATC has been able to secure the capacity support of the local Spar and other local suppliers, who will transport the supplies to Emakhazeni and sell on to the project at a store reduced rate. In the realisation of this Community sustenance project FATC has quickly gathered a network of Community leaders who have agreed to support the initiative. These individuals will make up a committee that serve as the project’s Distribution Identification Network, identifying and locating those households in most urgent need and distress to enable the ANGEL project to make direct door to door deliveries.
 The Food content included in each Sustenance Pack has been based on the Operation Hunger monthly food pack. Additional input has been provided by local Community Leaders in the Health Sector and “Friendly” Organisations from National Programmes involved in similar interventions, to ensure we are able to provide sufficient Nutritional and Calorific support.
 In addition, as we distribute packs, FATC will take the temperature of each beneficiary and keep a detailed register and log. In the event that FATC team members observe any health concerns, the necessary intervention will be implemented that will link the beneficiary with local Community Health Services for Further Screening and Support. 

How can you help?
FATC has initiated a fund-raising drive through Private Sector and CSI foundations to raise the majority of the funds as the need is huge. However, these processes are time consuming and currently overwhelmed, so we are appealing to you to assist FATC in Jumpstarting the ANGEL Project, so we are able to get Sustenance to those who most need as soon as possible. Every household matters.
 To date, in a 24-hour period, and without any formal engagement or public appeals the project has received a combined commitment of R 23 000.00 from 3 generous individuals, so the ball is now rolling and FATC will start with the Distribution of its Sustenance Packs from 1st June 2020.
 We are now appealing to our friends and partners to assist FATC in realising this ambitious yet critical life sustaining project. Board of Directors: Mongezi Makhalima, Zeona Jacobs, Karabo Mtshali, Athena Fatseas-Mazarakis, PJ Sabbagha 

Any amount will help NO amount is too small.
To give you a sense of our hard costs:

• Food packs contents are costed at R 600.00 per pack
• Face Masks at R35.00 per mask
• Hand sanitiser at R60.00 for 500ml

If you able and willing, we invite you to make a once-off donation, or a monthly contribution, the choice is yours.
 FATC is a fully compliant and audited NPC, NPO and PBO in terms of Section 30 of the income Tax Act. All donations to FATC in terms of is PBO status are exempt from Donations Tax in terms of section 56(1)(h) of the Act. All funds donated to FATC’s ANGEL PROJECT will be directed through the FATC accounts. We will be more than happy to provide you with evidence of the expenditure of your donation.
 If you are willing and able to join the cause, please contact me directly so we can discuss your contribution and how you would like to proceed.

Alternatively, if you will to make an anonymous donation please pay via EFT to the following account:

• Account Name: The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative
• Bank: First National Bank (F.N.B.)
• Branch: Machadodorp, Mpumalanga, South Africa
• Account Number: 62608251021
• Branch Code: 270541
• Account Type: Gold Business Account
• Swift (for international transfers): FIRNZAJJ