Changing lives one meal at a time
Happy faces after eating delicious chicken curry and rice together with Siphiwe Maphumulo (right) and one of her volunteers.
Having been raised in a poverty-stricken home in Etete it bothers Siphiwe Maphumulo to see a hungry child in her neighborhood.
In an attempt to get rid of hunger amongst children in this area Siphiwe together with her late husband started a feeding kitchen in their home four years ago.
With two volunteers Siphiwe cooked and fed more than 20 children from vulnerable homes.
“After my husband passed away in 2007 it was difficult to keep the feeding kitchen going and I remember many nights spent praying because we did not know where the next meal would come from,” she said.
Simphiwe’s plight was brought to an end when the North Coast Courier Orphan Fund was introduced to this feeding kitchen.
Today she feeds more than 40 children every Wednesday and Saturday.
“I have a lot of orphans who come here for a meal and even some children whose parents are alive but who have addictions and can’t provide for them, while others were abandoned and living with grandparents,” she said.
She said for some of these children the meal they receive here is their only food for the day.
Apart from feeding the children, Siphiwe teaches them Christian hymns as well as life skills. She also delivers food to elderly people who are ill.
Three years ago Siphiwe met Brenda Hill at the Eagle Church in Stanger,who has since been an active member of the feeding kitchen.
“I remember how touched Brenda was when I told her about the plight endured by the children in my community and from that point she decided to help us.
Brenda approached the North Coast Courier Orphan Fund that same year and since then the children have been receiving a decent meal and clothing.
“These people have been exceptionally kind to the children and myself and are extremely generous,” said Siphiwe.
Brenda Hill who is actively involved in the feeding kitchen said there is nothing more traumatizing than seeing a hungry child.
“The hero here is not me and not Siphiwe but the true hero is Rose Stephenson from the Orphan Fund. She is really amazing and none of this would be possible without her,” said Brenda
