When Sive Sifora, head of marketing at Kuthaza Ikamva Elihle, tested positive for Covid-19, the rest of the team did not waver at the thought of ensuring more than 150 children would get regular meals.
The registered non-profit organisation was started in July when the members realised that other soup kitchens in Walmer Township’s Airport Valley and Wells Estate only operated during the week.
They decided to operate on weekends to ensure children could have food in their tummies on Saturdays and Sundays.
Sifora, 22, said she was not shocked when she found out she had tested positive for Covid-19 because she had interacted with so many people in her efforts to help others.
The group decided even if one of them were to die, they would continue with the soup kitchen because they had seen the desperate need made even worse as breadwinners lost their jobs during the national lockdown.
“There are eight women in our non-profit organisation and they were supportive when they found out that I was positive and shared advice on how I should fight this virus.
“They continued to provide ready meals to the members of those two communities, starting with Walmer on Saturday and Wells Estate on Sunday,” Sifora said, adding that the group received no funding but was constantly looking for donors.
“We believe that all children deserve equal opportunities.
“If these children are provided with their basic necessities, they can reach their full potential.
“We plan to do more than just provide meals — we want to meet their basic needs by buying clothes, 60 uniforms, school shoes, backpacks and more.
“We’re currently taking money from our own pockets for these projects. We’re a diverse group of women and our goal is to better the lives of children,” she said.
Bulelwa Jucu, head chef at Kuthaza Ikamva Elihle, said they tried to provide a balanced diet with winter meals comprising vegetables, meat and bread.
“On summer days we do sandwiches with cheese and ham along with vetkoek with mincemeat and vegetables.
“The first time we dished up at Airport Valley the children would come back several times.
“They’d say ‘thank you, this soup is delicious’ each time. That touched my heart and motivated me to keep coming back,” Jucu said.
Walmer Ward 4 councillor Ayanda Tyokwana said the women were willing to put their lives on the line to ensure children were fed.
He has committed to try and help the group access funding.
“These women show us that women aren’t only pillars in their families but in their communities, especially when they take care of needy children,” Tyokwana said.
HeraldLIVE
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