PELO Foundation Launches the Ambassadorship Programme

Pelo Foundation has launched an Ambassadorship Programme which aims to work with individuals, who will assist the organisation in raising funds and awareness.

Tabisa Foster, the mother of a child, Anathi who received the much-needed surgery is the second person to join the Pelo Foundation Ambassadorship Programme, which was launched last year to encourage individuals to assist the foundation to continue with its philanthropic work of raising funds and awareness about the plight of children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) to receive treatment and the much-needed surgeries.

Foster, who is from Kwazakhele Township in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape decided to be part of the foundation, “after realising the vital work Pelo Foundation does and when my child was assisted by the foundation, I saw it imperative to join them and assist in raising awareness to attract donors so that more children can receive surgeries.”

The 36-year-old mother of two boys urges more people and businesses to also come forward to assist the foundation.

A few months ago, the first foundation ambassador Lisa Naicker Samlal, a CHD survivor from KwaZulu/Natal donated R20 000 to the foundation. She further raised another R10 000 from her friends and family.

Samlal said contributing to the foundation was a dream come true, as, “I have been looking for an organization that deals with heart disease-related matters and Pelo Foundation was relevant to partner with because it raises funds and assists children with CHD to receive treatments and surgeries.”
She added: “When I was diagnosed with CHD I was in my twenties and my family had to quickly come up with the funds for my surgery. If it wasn’t for those people who opened their hearts and wallets, I wouldn’t be alive today. I wish to do the same for other children with CHD. I want to raise funds.”

South Africa has hundreds of children who are on the heart surgery waiting list. It is estimated that 1 out of every 1 000 babies is born with CHD and that every six hours a newborn is added to the waiting list to receive treatment and or surgery.

Pelo Foundation is looking for more individuals to join the Ambassadorship Programme. To become a part of the Programme or to Donate, contact Ms Nobuhle Nkosi at: nobuhle@pelofoundation.org or Ms Dudu Mvimbi Leshabane at: dudu@pelofoundation.org