ON a daily basis, the Khabazela Village soup kitchen near Avoca Hills helps feed more than 120 people, made up of mainly women and children.

Supported by a number of NPOs, churches and NGOs, the kitchen has expanded its service to helping school-going children with meals before school.

This is due to the generosity of the Durban North Methodist Church which began supporting the community with instant porridge.

“We’ve had an existing relationship with Khabazela Village for a couple of years now. We also help with donations towards the soup kitchen every week,” said Madeline Pearson from the church. “When Dumile Magaqa, who runs the soup kitchen, spoke to us about the situation, specifically with the young children going to school hungry, we were moved. Through donations from church members and residents we began donating instant porridge to assist with the feeding programme and provide an additional meal for them.”

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For Magaqa, a community activist, the morning meals have made a world of difference to the community.

“Most of the children’s parents are unemployed, so it is very tough for them to provide for their families. When Madeline reached out to find out how they could assist more I spoke about starting a morning porridge initiative.

“As a father myself I know how difficult it must be for your children to go hungry to school and concentrate. We are so grateful to the Durban Methodist Church because we now feed between 30 and 35 children from Monday to Friday. We welcome any help from the north Durban community as it makes a massive difference,” he said.

• If you would like to support the soup kitchen, contact Dumile on 061 820 1938

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