Taking Care

GROUP FUNERAL PLAN FOR VENDORS

Funerals are a big lifecycle expense, especially for low-income households in South Africa. This is especially true for our vendors when there has been a death in the family. In these heart- breaking times, The Big Issue hasn’t been able to offer much help. Now, we have filled this gap with a Group Funeral Plan. Our vendors have the option of individual cover, where in the event of their death, a beneficiary they have listed receives some money. There’s also family cover where, in the event of the loss of a spouse or child, the vendor can make a claim. These plans are R19 and R35 a month respectively.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

The lack of decent shelter threatens the welfare of individuals, and we acknowledge that having a decent roof over your head is a fundamental human need. In collaboration with the Spirit Foundation, we are dedicated to improving vendors’ homes. This encompasses repairs, plumbing, electrical connections, leaking roofs, and general house maintenance. To date, more than 10 vendors have benefitted from this initiative since its inception in March.

BIG BIRTHDAY NEWS

Happy 70th birthday to Joseph Klink on 23 October. Joseph moved to Cape Town from Paarl when he was seven, and has been a vendor for 26 years. He’s grateful for being part of The Big Issue family because he has met many amazing customers from all over the world, some of whom return to him after a few years and still remember him. He says the magazine has not only provided bread and butter for his family, but has given him a sense of belonging, purpose and something to hold onto, accepting him as he is. He says The Big Issue has given him an opportunity to earn an honest living. Before he joined the magazine he struggled, living on the streets, but his life changed for the better. He says before he does anything in the morning, he thanks God for giving him a chance to see another day. He is relieved and happy to reach the age of 70. Joseph has nine children – six daughters and three sons, 23 grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren and lives in Bonteheuwel.

THE BIG ISSUE SEWING STUDIO

Progress has been made in The Big Issue sewing studio under the guidance of an experienced tailor. Claudine, our sewing teacher, has been a seamstress for the past 20 years and has been passing on her expertise to our vendors. Without any previous knowledge in sewing, the vendors attending her classes have now learnt to make a variety of products.

PROGRESS WITH OUR MATHS LESSONS

Education for our vendors’ children is very important to us because it is one of the best ways to break the poverty cycle. Since the launch of the Saturday maths classes in March, there has been significant progress. Our small group of four learners in Grades 10 and 11 has grown to a class of 12. They’re offered the same maths syllabus covered at school, including maths literacy, technical and pure mathematics. The benefits have been huge. One learner has jumped from a Code 3 (40-49%) to a Code 7 (80- 100%). We hope to continue growing this class in the future.