Durban Branch
P O Box 10797, MARINE PARADE, 4056
Office Tel: 031-332-2932
Fax:  031-3379600
Email  ujwdbn@djc.co.za

Projects of KZN

Ashley village . Self-help project of KZN division of Quadreplegic Association of South Africa. Various assistance given – including refurbishing/tiling of communal areas. Most recently had new industrial kitchen equipment installed to facilitate catering for larger number of residents.

Cato Crest School situated in “shack settlement”. Involvement over many years has included supplying mobile library, “sick” room refurbishment, couches for staff room, food parcels for child headed families, benches for learners as they were previously sitting 3 or 4 to a 2person bench. Story time reading sessions held monthly for younger grades.

Wylie House home for young girls 3mth – 18 years. Associated over many years and have given assistance in various ways. Refurbished lounge and communal areas, given gift packs of toiletries for residents, supplied nighties for all girls, food supplies supplemented and chipped, mismatched crockery replaced.

Helping with catering at Durban Communal Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations. Annual function takes place and members of committee “man” most popular stall – hot dogs/chips.

Moriah school UJW involved since its establishment. Have supplied “dressing up corner”, various play equipment, Judaica books, outside swings.

Funday fundraising function has taken place annually for several years at the beachfront rides fairground. Combined with Wizo and Durban Child Welfare. Before opening to public children from various homes invited to free rides, entertainment and treats.

Gemilut Chassadim award established in memory of Jean Kluk z”l and is awarded annually to a student at Eden College, chosen by the staff, in recognition of their acts of lovingkindness. Previous recipients have included Jodi Bernstein, Aviva Lazarus and Daniel Sapo.

Natal Settlers Memorial Homes’ Cerebral Palsy unit was in dire need of refurbishment. The room was changed from a drap colourless bare ward into one having a colourful, friendly atmosphere. Suitable tv was wall mounted, as were pictures and posters and the curtains and linen replaced.

Durban Jewish Social Services’ clients are treated to special parcels every year at Rosh Hashana and Pesach. The UJW purchases and packs “number specific” parcels and over and above the necessities, treats are added with special emphasis on those for children. In addition to the parcel each family receives gift vouchers to enable them to make their own choices.

Durban Holocaust Centre The UJW Durban felt it important to be associated with the establishment of this project. It has proved a most successful venture and the Garden of Remembrance was funded by the UJW Durban

John Conradie Home is one of two TAFTA homes with which the Union is involved. Visits are made with special treats taken for tea or outings arranged. Outing for 9 wheelchair bound residents arranged to Ushaka. Visits made to frail care ward and treats taken for tea.

Hillcrest Hospital a government facility for patients who have no where else to go. The Union has made several visits and given assistance in various aspects e.g. diningroom/communal area carpets professionally cleaned regularly, supplying jam, marmite, milo, peanut butter, tomato sauce, chutney etc – all of which we take for granted but the budget does not “stretch” that far. Visits are made and treats taken for all the patients.

Careline Crisis Centre originally established as a ‘safe house’ for abused women and children. Facility now expanded and includes drug/alcohol rehab. UJW has donated crockery, airconditioners, emergency lights, furniture for medical unit and food. Visits made periodically and treats taken for residents.

Jabula Day Care Centre UJW has been associated with the school for several years. Paid for toilets connected to municipal system to be installed. Provide mealie meal monthly to ensure children receive at least one meal per day. Collect practical waste and supplement dog food for guard dogs which became necessary when school was continually being vandalized.

Friendship Club at Beth Shalom monthly meetings held for senior citizens. Transport provided for non-residents. Bingo prizes/birthday gifts/scrumptious eats given

Chesterville Schools - cleaning materials/equipment supplied for two schools every term and end of year party treats provided

Ray Hulet Home Several visits have been made, always taking special treats for the residents. Have supplied kettles, toasters, blankets, pillows and other linen for the residents.

Sunflower Fund – since the inception of the original Bone Marrow for Africa project by the UJW Durban the committee has worked to establish public awareness of the Bone Marrow Registry. With the amalgamation of BMfA under the Sunflower banner that association has continued. Annual Donor Drives are held and the UJW Durban attends to give support and funds testing of the donated blood. Support is also given by the purchase of 144 bandanas annually to hand out at Golf Day.

Divote – Durban Initiative for Victims of Terror was established as a support project for Israelis. From small beginnings this project is now operated Nationally – co-ordinated by Cheryl Unterslak. The UJW Durban has always supported Divote through donations in response to specific appeals e.g. for Yomtov clothing, arts/crafts material during war conditions and by purchasing and packing the contents for Baby bags, wedding boxes and back packs.

Chiva project (Children with HIV Aids) the UJW Durban undertakes the administration for this project and has donated clothing and blankets to orphanages associated with Chiva.

Gogo Bags/New Mom parcels The UJW Durban has only recently become involved with this project. When mothers of new born babies leave an “inland” hospital the babies are often wrapped in their own jerseys or even newspaper. The UJW Durban supplied baby blankets and a few basic necessities – Vaseline, powder, soap etc. – packed into a cosmetic bag. At the end of the year over 100 Gogo bags were packed with basic foods & toiletries to be given to grandmothers taking care of grand-children whose parents had died of Aids.

Khulani Special School was introduced to the UJW by a new committee member. The school is run by volunteers in a rural area. The 15 children attending are all handicapped – some physically and others mentally. They sleep at the school from Mon – Friday and return home for the weekend. The UJW Durban has supplied chairs, blankets, tarpaulins, kitchen equipment, stationery and practical waste. It is hoped that they willsoon be connected to the National water/electricity supply.

Tongaat Family/Child Welfare – A Seminar for social workers in northern KZN was sponsored by the UJW Durban. A new home for orphans is being established and the UJW Durban will assist where possible. At the moment handmade toys and crocheted cot/pram blankets are being collected and given to the organizers.

Reach for a Dream – at the end of the year dreams were fulfilled for 6 children through this project. The gifts included a new clothing, bicycles, remote controlled car, dolls with clothing, cd players, books.

Golf Day 2008 was the 20 th Annual Charity Fundraiser arranged by the UJW Durban. This event is always a highlight in the golfing calendar and though a great deal of work the financial benefits make it worthwhile.