On Friday 15 May 2015, I Care in collaboration with eThekwini Municipality, hosted an event called iDare2Care. Approximately 1000 people spent a night sleeping on the streets of Durban to raise awareness for the plight of the homeless, raise funds for I Care and also to provide people with an opportunity to experience a little of what life is like as a homeless person in our city.
I Care is an NGO that has been transforming the lives of street children for 13 years with a number of programmes including outreach, rehabilitation, housing/shelter and skills development.
1000 people from all over Durban rallied together to participate in sleeping on the street for one night, and raised sponsorships from generous donors who dared them to sleep on the streets for the night, with funds contributing to I Care’s work in our city. iDare2Care took place in the surrounds of the beautiful City Hall.
Wayne Sandeman, Pastor of His People Church, as well as many of his congregants, played a huge role in the success of this event.
Sanitech, Rescue Care, Blue Security, DSW, Denis Hurley Centre, We Are Durban and the Metro Police also assisted on the evening, and we are very grateful to them for the smooth running and safety of the event. Representatives from various organisations were present with facilities available to educate the local homeless people about the various health and wellbeing services available to them by I Care and the City. I Care also collected donations of blankets in the morning to distribute amongst the needy.
It is evident with all the feedback received that everyone valued the experience of spending a night on the streets. Interaction with the homeless as well as making new friends is something that will be etched in our minds forever.
Some feedback:
The street children’s response to the evening: they loved the fact that people cared about them. They had some lovely therapeutic and spiritual counselling sessions with some of the people and felt the love. They also enjoyed the casual interaction with the I Care staff and so enjoyed being able to spend the whole day and night with us. They were seen by us in their true street activity and the very high dependence on their glue. We never disciplined or tried to stop them doing what they would normally do during a night on the streets as it was an eye opener for some of us what they get up to and how hungry they really get. I think they ate until they were near popping.
The I Care staff feel so encouraged to carry on after seeing and feeling the support of so many people. They feel believed in.
Stats from the Infromation Hub: 100 homeless people registered with the forum, 65 people opted for voluntary counselling and testing by Isizo Lwethu clinic. 30 street children who I Care work with came to be with us and many others benefitted from the fellowship and concern of the people. Approx 70 (unconfirmed no.) people over the age of 16 were interviewed and profiled by HSRC. The night held many benefits for the people on our streets. We are in awe of the support and outcome.