Limpopo Feeding Projects
Our trip to visit the Limpopo feeding projects on Thursday 3 March was much needed as we were able to take up donations of school textbooks, stationery, school clothing, as well as a variety of other goods. We have mentioned before that rural Limpopo is by far one of the poorest and most underdeveloped regions in South Africa, and the majority of children are either orphans, or come from homes where unemployment is rife. The textbooks especially will be very helpful to the students, as many do not have access to learning material due to problems with textbook deliveries in the province. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated to help these children.
Walter, Gladys and Sam all have various feeding projects and families they support, and it was such a blessing to be able to pray with most of them. There are just so many projects and households, that we eventually ran out of time, but we are planning to go back at the end of May to visit the projects we missed out on this time. It was such an eye opener for us again. These communities need so much help with so many issues. We have tried to highlight the most urgent needs per project below:
Sister Gladys:
- Gladys feeds roughly 200 children after school on a daily basis. Two years ago we able to build a kitchen with electricity and toilets through donor funds. They are, however, having problems with their water supply as the municipality is not supplying water as they should. They desperately need a 2500 litre water tank, which will enable them to source and store water, as well as catch rain water.
- The property needs adequate fencing and a gate, as goats are able to walk in and they are eating all the crops from Gladys’ vegetable garden. The kitchen’s outside light fittings were stolen as well.
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Pastor Walter:
- Mphephu Orphan and Vulnerable Drop In Centre is located inside an abandoned, run down post office. Violet and Agnes run the centre, which feeds 170 children on a daily basis. It currently takes 4 x 50 kilogram bags of maize meal per month just to feed each child once a day (total cost R1,280/$99). That is excluding any fruit, vegetables or other much needed nutrients which the children are lacking. They need assistance with donations towards purchasing of maize meal and fruits/vegetables.
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- Sendedza Community Development Foundation is managed by Mpho, a lady who feeds in excess of 120 children on a daily basis. It was our first time there, and we were immediately struck by the conditions which they operate in. The “Kitchen” is a run down shack situated in a field, there is no electricity or running water, and the children have to dig holes in the field when they need to use the toilet. Several ladies from the community meet here every day. They have started to make beautiful bead necklaces in the hope that they can sell these for funds. For a start, the feeding project needs assistance with donations towards purchasing of 3 x 50 kilogram bags of maize meal (R960/$74). They also urgently need funds for two toilets with an underground septic tank.
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- Konanani Orphan and Vulnerable Drop In Centre feeds on average more than 370 children per day. Sister Gila and her team need assistance with at least 10 bags of 50 kilogram maize meal per month (R3,200/$246).
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Pastor Sam:
- Pastor Sam assists households within his congregation with food donations every month. Due to time constraints, were unfortunately only able to visit two of the households. The first household was Mr and Mrs Mukwevho, an unemployed couple who have no means of income and rely on assistance from Sam. The second home we visited belongs to Sandile, a widow who lost her husband last year. Sandile has one child and also relies on assistance from Pastor Sam. They all really appreciated us taking the time to visit and pray with them.
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Aletheia provides assistance to Gladys, Walter and Sam through monthly bulk food purchases to the value of R6,000/$462, which is divided amongst the feeding projects and families. That’s more than 900 individuals who rely on the assistance from Aletheia every month. As you can imagine, it doesn’t go far. If you feel led to assist us with donations, you can either donate towards “Limpopo feeding project” or you can donate towards a specific project, e.g.: “Konanani feeding project” etc. We welcome donations of non perishable goods as well, but are only able to take goods up every two to three months at the moment.
We wish each one of you were able to actually visit these projects, meet the wonderful people who give so much to help the children in their communities and experience the blessing of their humility and love for God. We came home feeling so blessed for having spent the day with each of them and wishing we could do so much more!
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Special prayer
On Monday we received the tragic news that Esther, one of Mom Batha’s teachers, had been killed in a horrific way on Sunday evening. Please keep her family – two unemployed daughters and three grandchildren – in your prayers. Mom Batha, the other teachers and we from Aletheia have all been totally devastated by this. This is the second person we have lost in less than a year. We feel that we have such a spiritual battle in Dube Hostel. Your prayers for everyone are so important.
We appreciate all your support and care!
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| “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
In Him,
Connie, Morné and Aletheia Team |
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