Hope of hunger fights poverty
Families from disadvantaged backgrounds in Barcelona Extension and members of the Uniting Dutch Reformed Church received food parcels from Hope of Hunger organisation over the weekend.
KwaThema – The donation is conducted annually to the poor families who are identified by the founder of the organisation, Esther Mbukwane.
Mbukwane says she founded the organisation 16 years ago after identifying the need to help those who are less fortunate.
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“It broke my heart that there were families who are forced to go sleep on an empty stomach.
“I decided to use some of the commission I make from recycling refuse bags to help the families.
“I started with 10 households and through the years the number has increased,” she says.
Mbukwane says two years ago she decided to extend her donation to substance users in the area.
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“I identified that there were a high number of boys who were taking drugs and living on the streets.
“They were treated as second-class citizens by residents because of the negative choices they made.
“I decided to share and show them love by cooking for them and donating blankets and clothes for them,” she says.
Mbukwane adds she would like to expand the programme to touch more lives through the donations but she is limited by the small commission she makes from the recycling business.
“I am calling on business people and residents to join me in donating funds, food parcels and even blankets to donate them to those in need.
“Any form of donation is accepted and makes a difference in someone’s life.
“I believe if we join hands more people will benefit and the donation will be more regularly than once a year.
“It is our responsibility as citizens to help make a difference in our communities,” she says.
One of the beneficiaries, Martha Masuku, says she is grateful that she is one of the people selected to benefit from the initiative.
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