GEORGE NEWS - The Samaritan Development Foundation, known as The Samaritans, serves the community of Blanco in George through a number of projects with the main objective to develop a food centre and enhance agricultural processes, as food is the most basic need. This is why the first thing this non-profit organisation did was to establish a vegetable garden.

Other projects include the development of a music school, a centre for children, youth and the elderly to provide reading and writing programmes, as well as a bursary trust for disadvantaged students.

The community is encouraged to participate in the projects. "We assist the community, but nothing will be handed to them," says John Strauss, Samaritans director. "Even if it is a minimal amount, the recipients will contribute something to break the current culture of 'everything is for free and you don't have to work for it'."

The people working in the garden are entitled to a percentage of the harvest. "The project is not without it challenges, but AgriLand SSK is on board with the project with donations, training and remedies for problems. The board will also engage with the local farmers through the Blanco Dutch Reformed Church for assistance," says Strauss.

The first vegetables from the garden have been harvested. However, due to the lockdown the organisation could not raise funds for the upkeep of their projects, notably the vegetable garden.

The Samaritans are currently collecting vegetables, fruit and non-perishable foods to give to the needy in Blanco, but they need support from the community in the greater George.

To contact the Samaritans, please call Charles Williams on 044 870 7149 or 084 546 0547 or e-mail him at cw9657099@gmail.com.

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