Article re-cap
- Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has endorsed the Mi-change programme to provide essential services to the homeless population.
- The Mi-change initiative uses SnapScan QR codes to allow residents to purchase R15 vouchers for those in need.
- Vouchers can be redeemed at local U-turn and Mould Empower Serve service centres for meals, showers, clothing, or shelter.
- The digital system is designed to reduce street solicitation and prevent the misuse of cash donations.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has endorsed the Mi-change programme, a new digital giving initiative designed to provide essential services to the city's homeless population this winter.
The Mi-change programme offers a digital alternative to traditional cash donations through a SnapScan QR code. Residents can purchase R15 vouchers that are linked to registered participants and redeemed at local U-turn and Mould Empower Serve (MES) service centres.
These vouchers provide access to hot meals, showers, clothing, or safe places to sleep. According to Mi-change national manager Carmen Dickenson, the system aims to reduce street solicitation and eliminate the misuse of cash that can fuel dependency.
The digital vouchers cannot be traded or sold, which ensures donations are used responsibly for long term rehabilitation. Mayor Hill-Lewis stated that the initiative provides an innovative solution that helps those working to rebuild their lives.
Mi-change ambassador Dylon Jordaan spent 12 years on the streets before a single voucher served as a turning point. He has since left homelessness behind and now works as an administrator for the organisation. Today, Jordaan helps others access the same support that transformed his own life, putting him at the centre of the very system that once helped him. The project is supported by funding from the Citi Foundation's Global Innovation Challenge.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Mi-change programme work for residents who want to help?
Residents purchase R15 digital vouchers using SnapScan via a QR code. These vouchers are linked to registered homeless individuals and can be redeemed at U-turn and MES service centres for meals, showers, clothing, or shelter. The vouchers cannot be traded or sold, ensuring responsible use.
Why does Mi-change use digital vouchers instead of cash donations?
Digital vouchers cannot be traded or sold, which prevents donations from being misused in ways that fuel dependency, such as purchasing alcohol or drugs. This system ensures donations go directly to essential services for long-term rehabilitation rather than street solicitation.
What is Dylon Jordaan's role in the Mi-change programme?
Dylon Jordaan is a Mi-change ambassador who spent 12 years experiencing homelessness before a single voucher became a turning point in his life. He has since become an administrator for the organisation and now helps others access the same support that transformed his own circumstances.
Where can Mi-change vouchers be used in Cape Town?
Vouchers can be redeemed at local U-turn and Mould Empower Serve (MES) service centres across Cape Town for access to hot meals, showers, clothing, or safe places to sleep during winter.
Source: northernnews.co.za
