Nsimbini centre needs donations
A SMALL container serves as a kitchen, a two-room wooden hut as a creche and a large marquee as a venue for gatherings at the Nsimbini Information Centre in Nsimbini on the outskirts of Toti.
In spite of challenges, the centre, which has been running for three years, is being assisted by A Centre That Serves (ACTS), a Toti-based NPO which partners with rural-based projects to make them self-sustainable.
“The centre is housed on a piece of land donated by a local businessman. We are currently using a tent, but our dream is to build a hall, which will also encompass a soup kitchen,” said Carol van Zyl of Acts.
Some 483 children from the surrounding community receive a nutritious meal four days a week from the container which serves as both kitchen and storeroom. The centre is overseen by volunteer, Lindiwe Mcambi, a softly-spoken woman whose heart is in her community. “We serve meals such as chicken and rice and samp and beans. ACTS helps us with food items and second-hand clothes. We sell the clothes to buy gas, which costs R250 for a 9kg bottle, and only lasts a week. When we can’t afford gas, we cook on an open fire,” said Lindiwe.
The centre only has nine volunteers.”The numbers have dwindled as some who volunteer expect to get paid. We can’t because we don’t make any money.” If anyone is able to assist the centre with donations, contact Benji at the ACTS office on 031-914-2196.
