After three years of dwelling of their automobile in Cape Town, Jolene Erasmus and her Jewish husband and son got greater than simply R20 after they crossed paths with Gary Meyers. They got a lifeline.
The household – Erasmus and Itzy Diamond and their son, Hymie Diamond – had survived a farm assault and had been dealing with sure destitution after they met Meyers.
“What started as a small gesture of R20 has now grown to approximately R22 000 to R23 000,” mentioned Meyers, a South African architect who moved to Australia and has been in Cape Town for a number of months doing long-distance charity walks.
Meyers first seen an outdated automobile parked on the facet of the street whereas strolling in direction of Hout Bay in March. Towels hung from the home windows, making it seem that somebody was dwelling inside. Just a few weeks later, exterior a close-by espresso store, a younger girl approached him and requested if he might assist her discover a job. Jolene Erasmus was dwelling within the automobile along with her husband, Itzy, and their 11-year-old son, Hymie, with Itzy sleeping exterior in a sleeping bag and Hymie on the again seat – even within the rain.
“At the time, I thought to myself, well, this is South Africa, everyone is struggling. I honestly wondered whether it was just another story,” mentioned Meyers. “I normally don’t carry cash with me when I’m walking, but this time I had a R20 note and I gave it to her.”
Afterwards, Erasmus handed him a handwritten notice thanking him and explaining her state of affairs and that she and her husband weren’t searching for handouts however slightly jobs so they may get again on their toes.
Erasmus mentioned that since she and her household had survived a farm assault in 2023, that they had been dwelling of their automobile in varied spots alongside the Cape Town coast.
“We ended up living in our vehicle. We get work from time to time, but we do not get permanent work. We’re still staying in our vehicle. We are looking for work, a stable home, and a roof over our head. We have slept in other places, where we’ve moved around because people are not happy when we sleep near their houses. We’re currently sleeping at Cosy Bay and have been here since March. It’s very dark out here. There are no street lights,” she mentioned.
Meyers was involved concerning the household’s vulnerability. “I walk a lot in Cape Town, particularly when I’m training for my long-distance walks. I’ve walked from Station House in Sea Point all the way towards Chapman’s Peak and back, sometimes returning in the dark. That road can be completely unlit. Cars fly past at 100km an hour. I’ve seen how dangerous it can be. And suddenly, I was looking at an 11-year-old child living in a car, while his father was sleeping outside in a sleeping bag, in those conditions. I couldn’t just walk past. I remember thinking, I can’t do this. It’s not right. It’s not godly. It’s not human.”
He phoned Erasmus to say that he needed to assist them in any method he might, and began a GoFundMe web page on 18 June, which has since raised greater than R20 000.
Meyers has additionally given the household garments when potential, however extra importantly, he has given them a way of dignity.
“Since we’ve been living in our vehicle, my husband has been able to buy some of the car parts we’ve needed to keep it on the road. There are still things that need to be fixed, but unfortunately, it costs a lot of money. If we don’t receive enough money at once, we can’t fix everything, so we have to repair the vehicle in parts as the money comes in,” Erasmus mentioned. “There are still a lot of things that need to be fixed. We’ve managed to get our child to school and put food on the table, but we’re looking for anyone who can help us find work – honest work. We’re not looking for handouts. We’re just looking for a roof over our heads, somewhere safe where my husband can start looking for work and we can have some stability.”
In addition to monetary and materials assist, Meyers invited the household to affix his weekly Friday Night Club. Despite their state of affairs, they at all times flip up of their greatest garments with one thing in hand.
“Each Friday night we go to his club, we pray over the bread and the wine, we light candles, and we participate in the Hebrew prayers,” mentioned Erasmus.
After Itzy shared his story at a night gathering, Meyer’s pal, Biscuit, helped him safe work as a boilermaker.
But for the household, this was an opportunity to construct a neighborhood.
“We’ve been here for three years, and nobody has ever invited us even for a cup of coffee. So when Gary invited us, it was an absolute blessing to have somewhere that felt homely, where we could sit, talk, and connect with people. Gary and his team continue to help us where they can, and it means the world to us to know we have somewhere to go on a Friday night,” Erasmus mentioned.
“It feels very family-oriented, particularly as a result of most people are Jewish. My husband and son are Jewish, though I’m not, however being there makes us really feel like we’ve someplace to go and that we’re a part of society once more.
“It’s an absolute blessing. Living in our vehicle, we don’t have friends, and nobody really reaches out to us. Every Friday night, we look forward to putting on some nice clothes, going to Gary’s suppers, meeting new people, and simply having an outing,” she mentioned.