For the average middle class South African, a first trip into the heart of Vrygrond is an assault on the senses. A rubbish dump welcomes you as you enter, litter is strewn all over the dusty roads, small tin shacks fit haphazardly next to each other, kids play together all over the streets, and stray dogs narrowly miss taxi’s as they hoot on their way down the roads. This is where the Sozo Foundation has set up its offices; in 2 containers next to a public library, surrounded by shrieking kids and noisy pollution. Happily located there to serve the people of the community; people living in the thin, dilapidated shacks around them. And in this setting of poverty and neglect, drugs, alcoholism, abuse and gangsterism, are stories of dignity restored and hope found.
What We See In The Future
“A restored community living with dignity, purpose and hope”.
We see a restoration of community, of people set free from cycles of abuse, addiction and apathy. We see a dignified people, rising up from the ashes of the past, to live as the beautiful people they are. We see people with an understanding of the purpose for their lives for the present. Having an understanding that they have value, and that what they do adds value to this life. We see people living with hope for the future, for their community, their families and their children.
