For the past 24 years, Santie Tyrer has dedicated her life to serving the less fortunate in and around Mbombela.

What started as a small feeding scheme at the Nelspruit Dutch Reformed Church has grown into a life-changing initiative that provides food, clothing and household essentials to hundreds of families, old age homes, shelters and struggling communities across the Lowveld.

In 2000, Santie felt a deep calling to step away from her business of 15 years and devote her time to helping those in need.

As more people reached out for assistance, the project quickly expanded. Using her personal vehicle, she delivered food and household goods to families, and soon, a friend generously provided a 1.7 diesel Corsa LDV to help transport donations.

For four years, this vehicle transported food and other essentials to areas as far as Ngodwana, Emgwenya (formerly Waterval Boven), Belfast and Chweni.

The demand continued to grow, and in 2012 her local congregation donated a brand-new Isuzu one-ton bakkie to assist with the work. While this vehicle has been invaluable, it is now 12 years old and will soon need replacing. In the meantime, a second-hand Mahindra Bolero has been added to help lighten the load.

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Today, between 350 and 400 families receive regular food parcels, including bread, perishables, meat, vegetables and fruit, which are generously donated by local supermarkets, farmers, butcheries and fresh produce markets. Toiletries, which are often overlooked but desperately needed, are supplied by school groups and businesses, providing relief to parents who cannot afford them.

The support does not stop at families. Several old age homes, including Herfsakker, Oranjezicht, Laeveldrus, Silver Days and Pumalanga Retirement Village, receive assistance.

The initiative also helps shelters such as Tamar, which provides a safe haven for abused women and children, and Huis Betlehem, where children stay temporarily after being removed from abusive households. Even a private farm, where struggling families live rent-free, benefits from regular donations.

Churches in rural communities also rely on Santie’s team for help, distributing food, clothing and household items to those in extreme poverty.

Recognising the importance of emotional and spiritual support, Santie and her team often provide guidance, prayer and counselling to those facing personal crises. Encouraging people to connect with local churches ensures they receive ongoing support and a sense of community.

* This article was amended after it was published. The article previously stated Santie’s surname was Taylor. It should have been Tyrer. Lowvelder apologises for any confusion caused.