Monthly home-cooked meals bring warmth to homeless
One young Durban man has taken it upon himself to help feed people who live on the streets of our city.
AFTER collecting donations during the month, uMbilo resident, Sisekelo Hlabisa, distributes hot meals to people who live on the streets. The initiative that he started for the people who live on the street around his area has now expanded to Durban Central, where there are a huge number of people who live on the city’s streets.
Because of the holidays, Hlabisa organised his food drive a little earlier than usual and distributed more than 200 meals on Christmas Eve to those less fortunate. The home-cooked meals consisted of a starch, hot stew and vegetables, and the people also received fresh fruits and something to drink.
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According to Hlabisa, the reason he started this food drive initiative was to bring unity between those who are less fortunate and those who are able to lend a helping hand. “I wanted to bridge the gap between us and our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate so they know they are not alone. There are people who are willing to listen and lend a helping hand, especially around the special time of Christmas when most families gather around a hot meal and create memories.
“I wanted to give that,” added Hlabisa.
Hlabisa says he started the food drive three years ago with the help of his family. He doesn’t only distribute food, but he also collects sanitary pads and toiletries and donates them. He says most of the food is donated from the community and people outside his community who want to lend a helping hand.
“I want to make these food drives more frequent during the new year as food insecurity has become a thing in our country – many people go to bed on an empty stomach, and I want to do something about it no matter how tiny it is.
“Everyone deserves to go to bed on a full stomach. I will continue seeking donations, and thank you to everyone who is always willing to help – no donation is too small – we need all the help we can get,” says Hlabisa.
Hlabisa says that although they strive to obtain donations, this food drive initiative is also made possible by the three volunteers who help him prepare the food and transport it to the city streets where they hand them out.
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“I hope to one day do something special for them also as they always avail of themselves to help my cause without looking for something in return.”
Hlabisa, who is a Film and Television graduate from the Africa Film Drama Art Institute, says he hopes to one day use his knowledge from film school to create a documentary about the many families that live on the streets of Durban and who struggle to fend for themselves on the streets.
“With this food drive, I have met so many extraordinary individuals who live on the streets, and I would love to tell their stories and hopefully give them something to sustain themselves with,” added Hlabisa.
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