Since its’ founding in 2017, Peace Oasis International (POI) has grown and the ways in which it seeks to end hunger continue to evolve as one of its’ tangibles. From the implementation of sustainable community development projects to its’ meal packaging program that harnesses the passion of local volunteers, POI strives to make a local impact on hunger by building resilience, self-sufficiency and empowerment among the disadvantaged students it works with through its ‘Stop The Hunger Programme’.

Given the current situation of COVID-19, Peace Oasis International in partnership with DUT has taken the “Stop The Hunger Programme” to the homeless and the underprivileged communities who have been sheltered at the Durban exhibition centre and Moses Mabhidha Stadium and other communities.  According to Dr Kuda Shonhiwa, the head of Peace Oasis International, the team have been working since the beginning of the lockdown with a number of partners including Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, ‘eThekwini Outreach’, ‘eThekwini Secure ‘in the essential services category during this time of Covid -19 pandemic.

The collaborations are important in terms of DUT external engagement initiatives. We are currently providing meals for over a thousand people every day for the homeless at Moses Mabhidha and Peoples Park where they are sheltered. In addition, food hampers and other basics are also being distributed in communities that we work in e.g. Cato Manor and Gillitis just to mention a few’. It is important to state that individual medical doctors have approached and volunteered to work with Peace Oasis International in this time of need in the screening and testing of / for Covid -19 in these communities.

 According to new research from consumer credit reporting agency, TransUnion, almost eight in ten (10) South Africans say their household income has been cut by the Covid-19 pandemic, while one in ten had already lost their jobs, an additional seven (7) percent of South African adults expect their household income to suffer in the future. This pauses a huge challenge to our students who come from these households. In light of the above, Dr Kuda Shonhiwa stated that, ‘We are aware of greater challenges that most of our students will face after the lockdown in terms of food and other basics’. Therefore, in preparation for the return of our students, Peace Oasis International (DUT) will assist in the following:

• Provision of eight-hundred (800) packets of Sanitary wear that will be distributed accordingly to our residences in both Durban and Pietermaritzburg campuses. This will be distributed through the assistance of our residence advisors and student committees in the residences.  B. The sanitary wear has been ordered waiting for delivery.
• Provision of hampers through the ‘Stop The Hunger Programme’. This will be distributed with the assistance and support of the Advancement and Alumni Relations department under the Research, Innovation and Engagement portfolio, Residence Advisors and Student Volunteers.
• A Soup Kitchen has been identified at the Durban (Steve Biko Campus) that will provide two meals a week and plans are underway to have a similar arrangement in Pietermaritzburg campuses while observing all social distancing requirements as recommended by the Covid-19 protocols. 

Lastly, we thank the University Management, Executive Deans, Alumni department, Peace Oasis Advisory council, staff and individuals for the continual support given to Peace Oasis for the benefit and support of our students, communities and advancing our community engagement initiatives for 2020.

Peace Oasis International (DUT)