ABERDEEN NEWS - Chris van Beljon, founder of Boere Droogtehulp SA NPC, recently made another welcome delivery of fodder to Aberdeen.

To date, Van Beljon has sent 19 loads to Aberdeen, in response to appeals from individual farmers. The town also became a regular stop after his mother Deirdre, an Aberdeen resident, asked for help for some of the farmers.

According to Van Beljon, Boere Droogtehulp does not ask the farmers for money. He appeals for funding, mainly for transport costs, on social media, and sells merchandise at farmers' events and golf days to raise money.

Some of the fodder is donated by farmers in more fertile regions, and waste grass cutting for road maintenance has also been baled and sent.

"Each person who contacts me for help must nominate eight or nine others who are also in need," said Van Beljon who has also helped a farmer with a new solar water pump, given food and supplies, and assisted farmworkers with donations of blankets, food and warm clothing.

To date, Chris van Beljon has sent 19 loads to Aberdeen, in response to appeals from individual farmers.

Annette Verwey is one of the beneficiaries. "We had our last proper rain in 2014. From 2015 we have had to give supplementary food to our animals, and since 2016 we have been feeding all the sheep, as there is absolutely nothing in the veld for them to eat," she said. 

"This drought is extremely severe, the worst I've ever seen. It breaks one not only financially, but emotionally too," she continued. "I am very grateful for the help I receive from Chris and his organisation."

Also grateful for Van Beljon's help is Hanlie van Rensburg. 

"The drought sucks the life of animals and humans, but Chris is like an angel the Lord sent to earth," said an emotional Van Rensburg. "Because of him, our animals live, and therefore, we too can live."

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