Eden Park pensioners feed poor people

The two are feeding community members from their own pocket with a little bit of help from the white farmers from Madeira Gardens who help with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Elizabeth invited Kathorus MAIL to the feeding scheme on April 19.

During the interview with Kathorus MAIL, a kind Elizabeth who is also a pastor at Capernaum Life Ministries said she came up with the idea many years ago.

“It was in July and I was doing something for the community during the 67 minutes for Madiba. People came in their numbers to get food. I realised then that people in the community need this and decided to do it twice a week, namely every Tuesday and Thursday,” said Elizabeth.

She said ever since the number of people who benefit from the scheme is increasing.

“Beside the vegetables and fruit I get, I still need help from local business people who can assist with some funds so that I am able to buy mealie meal and fish oil. Those are the things that I need the most,” she said.

The feeding scheme does not end at Elizabeth’s home. Good Samaritans in the form of Connie Hadebe and Anna Khumalo visit the homes of gogos who are unable to walk and feed them there.

Hadebe and Khumalo are caregivers who offer help by cooking for people.

Because of a large number of people come to get food, their yard has become too small. She would like to be assisted to complete the building they have already started to construct.

Besides adult community members, children from the community also come to Elizabeth’s house after school to get food.

She went on to add that among the people who benefit from her feeding scheme there are two disabled members who need help the most.

“One of them is Oupanyana Letshule who was born blind and stays alone in the shack. He gets help from one member of the church who sometimes cleans for him. The situation in his shack during the rainy season is bad. I wish people who can afford it would come forward and renovate his place for him.

“Another person is Thembi Matlala who can’t walk. Fortunately for Thembi, we managed to get help for her after pleading with the community members. She got a wheelchair. The thing is that the wheelchair is too big for her RDP house. The doors are small and she can’t use the toilets. I plead with business people to come and extend the doors and build toilets that will suit a person who lives with her type of disability,” said Elizabeth.

She added that there are 67 gogos she would like to help.

“If only they could get the gift of a blanket on Mandela Day. That will go a long way,” concluded Elizabeth.