Local soup kitchen keeps Nellmapius learners warm
“All we want this winter is for our less-fortunate learners not to freeze in the cold weather while going to school.”
A local organisation looking after vulnerable children and chronic adult patients has become a beacon of hope for children going to school in the freezing cold of winter.
This came after the Madiba Drop-in care centre in Nellmapius extension 4 decided to keep school children warm this winter by providing them with tea and bread and sometimes soup.
Founder of the centre, Elizabeth “Ausi Pinkie” Madiba said she started the soup kitchen because she didn’t want children to go to school on an empty stomach.
She said the winter season is very cold and “we don’t want learners to complain about the cold, the soup kitchen and tea and bread keep learners warm and fills their stomachs”.
“All we want this winter is for our less-fortunate learners not to freeze in the cold weather while going to school.”
The centre depends on donations to keep running and keep school children warm in the morning and making sure they eat before attending classes.
“Nutritious soup served to the learners (including everyone in the community) is free of charge, no questions asked, to anyone who comes seeking nourishment.”
Ausi Pinkie, who is also an enrolled nurse, works overtime to generate the funds to keep the centre running.
The organisation was formed in 2018 with the aim of helping vulnerable children, child-headed families with food in the afternoon and help them with school work.
It also helps looking after elderly people with chronic diseases around Nellmapius.
She said the organisation helps vulnerable children by providing them with meals after school and helping them with their school work.
The organisation operates Mondays to Fridays from 06:00 until late and the soup kitchen starts at 07:00.
The organisation has 11 volunteers who help with cooking, school work and give home-based care to the elderly and infirm while also making sure they take their medication or not miss their doctors’ appointments.
Ausi Pinkie pleaded with the community and local businessmen to share their warmth by donating food, blankets, sponges, tables and chairs for children to do their school work.
Anyone who wishes to help the centre can contact Ausi Pinkie on 076 449 9875.
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