Clayton Viljoen, founder of Urban Ruins Projects, was awarded The Humanity Foundation's Honorary Award for his tireless work in supporting those in need. His efforts have helped Cherrie Lurie rebuild her life after losing her family to Covid-19 and facing a terminal cancer diagnosis. Viljoen's initiative, Urban Humanity Food, provides essential food staples to 28 non-profit organizations in Boksburg and Benoni.
Tears, cheers and laughter filled Rasam Tandoori Indian Restaurant, Sheridan Centre, on February 2nd as The Humanity Foundation gathered to express their gratitude to a man hailed as a pillar of the Boksburg community. In 2020, Cherrie Lurie 's life took a tragic turn when she lost her wife and children to Covid-19 . Overwhelmed by grief, the Benoni resident's life spiraled out of control, leading her to live on the streets and struggling to feed her addiction.
A fortunate encounter with Clayton Viljoen, of Urban Ruins Projects, in Plantation proved to be a turning point for Cherrie, providing her with the support she needed to rebuild her life. 'It's difficult to describe what Clayton did for me. It's easier to say that he saved my life,' she said, tears streaming down her face. Cherrie's life faced another unexpected challenge when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The prognosis was grim, with doctors predicting she had only six months to live. However, on January 30th, nine months after her diagnosis, she celebrated her birthday, making only two wishes: to dine at an Indian restaurant and to honor Viljoen. Learning about her desire, The Humanity Foundation stepped in and organized a luncheon not only to honor these individuals but also to express their appreciation to those who contribute to the community-driven organization's success. Reflecting on its growth over the past two years, one of the founding members, Pierre Marneweck, expressed his humility towards those who selflessly assist those in need. 'We are surrounded by incredible non-profit organizations that go above and beyond to extend a helping hand. 'It's challenging to highlight the work of one without mentioning the others, but after hearing Cherrie's story, it became clear that the first recipient of The Humanity Foundation's Honorary Award should be Clayton,' he said. 'This man doesn't simply hand out aid; he connects with each beneficiary on a personal level, listens to their struggles, and assists them from a place of pure love. Beyond his own efforts, he has helped us establish Urban Humanity Food, a branch of service that secures and distributes food staples to 28 local vetted non-profit organizations in Boksburg and Benoni on a monthly basis. These donations support these organizations in their ongoing feeding programs.'During the event, certificates of appreciation were presented to Woodlands International College and Ashton College Benoni for their ongoing support and donation drives in aid of the foundation. Tony Quatro of QualiPak, Tayla Smit (Boksburg Advertiser), and Jani de Beer (Benoni City Times) were also among the recipients of these certificates. The event served as a testament to the power of community support and the impact individuals can have on the lives of others
The Humanity Foundation Urban Ruins Projects Clayton Viljoen Cherrie Lurie Boksburg Benoni Community Support Food Insecurity Non-Profit Organizations Terminal Cancer Covid-19
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