DURBAN - Sitara Che Thaver, a 20-year-old artist from Chatsworth, has started an initiative to sell her paintings to raise funds to feed stray animals during lockdown.
“As a hobbyist painter brainstorming some ideas in order to raise funds for the coronavirus action committee campaign, I have decided to sell my paintings and/or paint commissioned pets. All proceeds from this will go towards the COVAC campaign,” said Thaver.
“I’ve been interested in art as a medium for ideas since high school (struggle art, environmental awareness). Seeing that I have spare time now that I’m away from studying and can’t seem to paint without a cause in mind, I thought it would be a good idea. It's also safer as requests can be put through online,” she added.
Thaver, who is among the younger members of the Coronavirus Action Committee for Chatsworth (COVAC) said that the team have embarked on a mission to feed pets during the lockdown period.
COVAC has teamed up with community members and the Durban South Community Vets Clinic to provide food to pet owners who cannot afford it during the lockdown. Thaver has expressed the team's gratitude towards the clinic and the community during the outbreak.
“Firstly, we would like to mention the generosity and compassion shown by the communities we have been in contact with regarding donations of food hampers. The Youth Centre as an all rounded welfare society is working tirelessly to assist individuals and animals that are vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis,” added the 20 year old.
According to Thaver, the majority of those who call in for assistance are elderly, unemployed and in dire need of support, yet some of them have still managed to feed stray animals during the lockdown. Some of them feed up to ten stray cats per day.
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