Bedfordview schoolgirl gives back for her birthday

Tenique Ehlers-Labushchangne, a Grade Five learner at St Andrew’s School for Girls, Bedfordview, donated food and toiletries in celebration of her 11th birthday to Ithemba Soup Kitchen in Primrose, Germiston.
Tenique’s birthday was on October 22 and she handed over the donations on Wednesday.
The soup kitchen offers prepared soup to underprivileged individuals, young and old, three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

According to her mother, Monique Ehlers, her daughter understands that a sandwich can go a long way to make a difference in someone’s life in need.
The young girl thus requested to celebrate her birthday differently.
Monique talked about her children’s involvement in making a difference to the community of Germiston.
“The school requested learners to take extra sandwiches to school for donation to Ithemba Kitchen Soup every Wednesday.”
During the August school holidays, Tenique and her brother visited Ithemba and both returned home with tears in their eyes.
As her birthday approached, Tenique asked her parents to do something different as opposed to the usual birthday celebrations.
Her goal was to celebrate her birthday by providing help and support to the soup kitchen.
She was determined to deliver at least 1 250 sandwiches to Ithemba.
“We also delivered 300 food parcels and additional 50 parcels of toiletries and other small things,” said Monique.
She explained that it gives her great joy to see young people feeling the need to give back.
“It is our responsibility after all to share with those who have less.”
Head of Ithemba Soup Kitchen Jenny Scheigansz said in her years of working with the community, Tenique’s gesture to help those who rely on the soup kitchen for meals was the best she has witnessed.

“St Andrew’s School for Girls has been working with us for almost three years now. Their learners often visit to help out. They support us with vegetables and help to peel and prepare them for the soup kitchen,” said Jenny.
The soup kitchen caters for homeless people, people from the informal settlement and 99% of the recipients are Sassa or grant dependents.
“Once learners visit the soup kitchen, they quickly realise there is more to life than what they are used to.”
The soup kitchen also received support from Johan van Wyk from Ackermans Pharmacy with a donation of 300 loaves of bread every week as bread delivery was hindered by the recent Numsa strike.
Jenny also thanked volunteers Joan Weeks and Konni Brigit Jackson and reminded the community that all donations are welcome, including food, clothing and non-perishable items.