U-turn asks public to sleep on streets on 18 May 'in solidarity with homeless'

Clarence Ford interviews Valerie Govender (Chief Communications Officer at U-turn Homeless Ministries) about the project.

U-turn Homeless Ministries is asking the public to 'spend a night on the street' on 18 May 2024.

To be part of U-turn's 'a night on the streets' fundraiser, purchase a ticket for R100 and spend 18 May sleeping outside BMW Constantia on Claremont Main Road.

You can also buy a ticket and sleep outside in your garden, school hall, church, patio, backyard or balcony in solidarity with the homeless and this campaign. 

Locals are also encouraged to ask friends and family to join and help U-turn raise funds for the homeless during winter.

The event can be supported from anywhere in the world and aims to highlight the experience of the homeless. 

"We hope that people will join us in experiencing one night on the cold, hard floor with nothing but a blanket to keep warm. There's also that element of being alone on the street, when you're exposed and vulnerable and mostly hungry and desperate. So, for participants on the night, it's really a choice that they're making to participate in this campaign, but for the person who is homeless, it's a reality for them."

- Valerie Govender, Chief Communications Officer - U-turn

Raised funds will go towards the organisation's skill development programs that help 'break the cycle of homelessness'.

"At U-turn, there's a holistic approach to people living on the streets. It's more than just soup, blankets and a safe space. We want to break the cycle of homelessness by impacting people through skills and development so it's a holistic journey out of homelessness. So, to be able to avail therapeutic staff, professional staff and life coaches is a tremendous cost to the organisation, so this is an opportunity to raise much-needed funds."

- Valerie Govender, Chief Communications Officer - U-turn

Learn more about 'a night on the street' fundraiser here or on U-turn's social media pages.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.