KNYSNA: Remembering the 2017 fires - When Gift of the Givers scrambled to divert supplies such as food and clothing to the disaster areas of Knysna following the June 7 fires, a group of local men immediately responded to offer assistance in terms of logistics, distribution and storage of emergency supplies - after all, locals know Knysna best.
Ridwaan Omar, Mohammed Shezaad Gani, Yunus Elhoub and brothers Faheem and Shaheen Limbada, were themselves scrambling their families to safety and battling to protect their property, but also pounced at the opportunity to serve their own community.
When the fires happened it was the month of Ramadaan, and the volunteers were all fasting - which motivated them even more to lend a hand.
Ridwaan Omar said that he was contacted by Gift of the Givers to assist in the distribution of emergency supplies and to co-ordinate the arrivals of tons of goods transported via trucks to Knysna.
He put together a team of the mentioned individuals, who expressed the chance to help as an opportunity to serve and a privilege.
Shaheen Limbada, who himself was caught up fighting flames on the night of 7 June at Blaricum, where his house was situated at the time, said that they all received offers from communities in other towns to come live there for the meantime.
“We declined. We wanted to stay and help, we couldn't just leave the community when people were in such need,” said Shaheen.
Yunus Elhoub, a resident of Templemen Street at Knysna Heights, said that there was devastation all around him.
“Knysna Heights was probably the worst affected, and I seen friends, and neighbours, lose everything. Working with Gift of the Givers, was a chance to help them. One of my responsibilities was the distribution of supplies,” he said.
The volunteers managed consignments of food, blankets, water, baby food, napkins, medical supplies, school uniforms and stationary, animal feed, sugar water for bees, and just about every conceivable requirement at the time.
“We even took coffee, water and juices to volunteers fighting the fires, and seeing them on the front line, actually motivated us” they said, adding that many of the recipients of goods - the elderly and some wealthy, were emotional and burst into tears at the assistance of Gift of the Givers.
“It was a humbling experience. People were and still are going through hardships, and everyone helped each other”.
There was also no time to get tired or hungry - despite the fasting.
“You could say it reaffirmed our belief. We were fuelled by what's happening around us. Sometimes we had to struggle, and push on. It was about humanity,” they said.
They also had to deal with frustrations of the community, who sometimes vented it towards them. Then there was a difficulty in distinguishing between fire victims and those who just wanted a free handout. In the end, they helped who they could, and only served as a medium between Gift of the Givers and the Knysna community.
Shaheen Limbada said that, reflecting on the tragedy one year later, it was somewhat sad to see a divide slowly split the community once again.
“People from all walks of life really came together and united to help each other, Knysna became a united community. Now that people are moving on with their lives, the community is slowly growing apart again,” he said.
Ridwaan Omar said that there was pros and cons, but the larger aspect of serving humanity was the real motivation.
“What was given and was was distributed exposed the potential this community has. If we regularly give to the needy, we can actually do away with poverty. This experience showed I think everyone that if we really want to do something and make a difference, we can.”
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