Project History and Acheivements
Our Beginnings
The Adonis Musati Project (AMP) began when a group of concerned women, in reponse to Adonis Musati's death, began bringing hot meals to the hundreds of asylum seekers waiting in line for their documentation at the Foreshore Refugee Reception Centre in Cape Town. The conditions at the Foreshore centre were horrendous, with no toilets and running water, and indivudals queued for days on end without receiving any service from the Home Affairs officials on duty. Many of these individuals were homeless, sleeping and living right there on the street even during the cold winter months. Read some of our press releases to learn more.
Achievements
From November 2007 until mid 2008, AMP fed hundreds of asylum seekers a hot meal several times a week, and AMP made efforts to fill other basic needs as they arose. Hundreds of bags of second-hand clothing and toiletries were distributed, as well as thousands of blankets and sleeping bags. Many asylum seekers were also assisted with transport to hospital, associated costs and basic medicines. Some were assisted with transport to Zimbabwe to go and bury loved ones and comfort their families and phone cards were purchased to help asylum seekers make contact with their families back home. AMP volunteers helped to compile and type CVs for any asylum seeker who requested one.
Realising that most asylum seekers are unfamiliar with Cape Town and unaware of the services available to them, AMP also distributed (and continue to do so) carefully researched and compiled information brochures that outline where else asylum seekers may seek assistance for legal difficulties, jobs, training, healthcare, etc.
AMP also helped hundreds of individuals find accommodation in low-cost warehouses, shelters etc, paid for one to two month’s of their rent and provided some basic foodstuffs, giving them a chance to get on their feet and search for employment. We also provided assistance for occupational skills training for many individuals.
During the Xenophobic attacks in May 2008, hundreds of asylum seekers and refugees were transported by AMP volunteers to the various IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps in the Peninsula. Buses and taxis were also hired by the Project to assist them with transport to and from the camps. Many AMP volunteers volunteered at the IDP camps as well.
From September 2009 to January of 2011 we opened an emergency shelter called Musati House for the most vulnerable asylum seekers who crossed our paths. The home accommodated around 30 individuals during its operation. Some were unaccompanied minors and orphans from Zimbabwe who were found living on the streets of Cape Town and were taken to the shelter. Others were families with children (some homeless) who were struggling to survive. All of the children were sponsored to attend school and older youths were placed on skills training courses or connected with employment. We helped a few families and single mothers temporarily at the shelter while they got back on their feet. All residents were provided full room and board, medical, counselling and social work services. AMP has helped most of the residents move on to independence, and has placed the remaining school boys on our Independent Living Programme.
At Present
In its first few years the project was run completely by tireless volunteers who conducted AMP's business from their own homes and covered all operating expenses. The Adonis Musati Project has since grown, acquiring funding, a few staff members and more full time volunteers. In June 2010 we finally acquired our own office premises, having previously worked out of a donated office space (thanks to Steve and Colleen at Salty Print for donating the space and tollerating us!). AMP has launched various projects that address the rising needs of asylum seekers in South Africa, and which focus (additionally) on asylum seeker children and unacommpanied, orphaned minors. While we now schedule appointments with individuals at our office, our original obejctives remain the same and AMP still brings food and information brochures to homeless asylum seekers in CBD and those queueing at the Refugee Reception Centre when possible.