Pay It Forward – Vision 153

It’s been said that we have two hands: one to help ourselves, and one to help others. The concept of ‘paying it forward’ is truly heartwarming; it encourages to keep a chain of kindness and warmth going. We started a chain in Ballito and through the next few editions, we will keep it going – profiling locals who are out to make a difference. Meet our third ‘Do-Gooders’: Vision 153. We speak to Lesley Forrest to find out more…

How did you start up the organisation/initiative?
Vision153 is predominantly a feeding scheme on the North Coast, feeding over 1100 children and adults per day. We also try to assist with outreach care wherever possible.

What does your organisation/initiative involve?
We started way back in 2008, but were only registered as a NPO company in 2010. My mom and brother founded
the company out of a genuine love for people and a desire to see poverty done away with and all children given equal
opportunity. As a family we stepped in behind them and supported their vision. It’s all snowballed from there with other volunteers joining us and with the help of various institutions and schools donating time, money, foodstuffs and their own resources to bring this dream to life.

What do you take away from helping others?
The knowledge of the fact that we are being obedient to God’s instruction in the Word, where He tells us to take care of others, but specifically the widow and the orphan.

How important do you think it is to make a difference in your community?
I think that a thousand tiny kindnesses join together to make a big difference. I think it’s a great privilege to be able to help and serve where we can. I think it’s very important that we look after our own, and not walk past
and turn a blind eye.

What is your fondest memory of your outreach?
It is a bittersweet one of a tiny infant boy who was abandoned in Tongaat by his mom. We were able to spend time with him and over the next two years sow into his life, watch him grow, learn how to play and interact with other children. Then his biological mother reappeared after a season and took him back under her care as she
was applying for a government grant. We learned that he had been found dead within the same month. So very sad, and so so much potential, all lost too soon.

CONTACT LESLEY FORREST | 082 550 2182 | info@vision153.co.za