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story and pictures kate hoare
t’s easy for us to get caught up in the “daily grind” and routine of life with little thought or time for others. Paying it forward is the connecting and helping of another without the expectation of anything in return – where acts of kindness and compassion make a real difference to the life of another, with the hope of triggering a chain reaction of kindness. Meet Jodie Torlage, a busy Kloof mother of two who runs her own corporate clothing and gifting business by day, and in her personal time passionately helps many less fortunate make something of themselves. In 2018 Jodie, on her own, started distributing food to the homeless in the Durban Umbilo area, and on Sundays would take a group of them to church. Friends started joining her and in 2019
Paying it
FORWARD WEEK AFTER WEEK CONNECTED PAY IT FORWARD WITH COMPASSION AND SELFLESSNESS, MAKING AN ENORMOUSLY POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE DAILY LIVES OF MANY LESS FORTUNATE PEOPLE
Kindness costs nothing but can change the world for someone” Connected was launched, a small non-profit outreach programme operating from informal hubs like Grace Family Church in Riverside, Durban North and other similar places in the Upper Highway area. After busy day jobs and family commitments, Jodie and her team would venture out into the Durban night to improve and change the lives of those society had excluded. What began as simply handing out food to people in shelters and on the streets, has developed into relationships and trust, with the team helping the homeless secure ID documents, CVs, skill development and job placements. After three years Jodie and her team know each person by name, and understand their struggles and what’s lead them to living on the streets. Connected works passionately and tirelessly to help the homeless heal, as well as sponsoring many of them on Alpha courses or reuniting others with family – with the ultimate
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ABOVE: Jodie Torlage – the drive behind Connected, helping the homeless make something of themselves. RIGHT: Mondli’s kaftans, hats, masks and bags are vibrant and proudly South African, available online at Encouraging Eco as well as at Claire’s Concepts in Mackeurtan Avenue in Durban North.
aim of getting as many homeless people off Durban’s Umbilo streets as possible. “I feel strongly that everyone has a passion and a purpose and when those coincide one has the power to enrich the lives of others. Kindness costs nothing but can change the world for someone!” says Jodie. The harsh reality is that unemployment is the biggest contributor to our homeless situation and South Africa’s unemployment rate is now nearing 30%. During lockdown, Jodie and her team became increasingly aware they were helping people with enormous skill and potential to earn an income. In partnership with Lovemark and Together for Durban, and in collaboration with The Wellness Centre Trust, Connected has recently run its first skills development course, which includes basket making, beading, sewing, crocheting and woodwork with the aim of providing many homeless people with a sustainable way of earning a living and getting back into society. To support those attending the workshops, Connected recently launched its online e-commerce platform, Encouraging Eco, where products made at the workshops are sold. “Connected’s ultimate hope is that Encouraging Eco becomes an online shop for local gifts, giving us an opportunity to support local entrepreneurship and upliftment,” adds Jodie. As Connected has grown, so have their success stories. Two years ago Mondli was living on the streets. Today he is a chef at 9th Ave Bistro, with his own clothing and accessory range on the side. Mondli was the first to get a job, get off the streets and now is one of the
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