Dynamite certainly comes in small packages, as at just 11 years old, Bonolo Moahludi has come up with the idea to open a soup kitchen to serve hot soup and bread to the disadvantaged children in Alexandra, especially in this winter season.
The idea to come up with something this big for a girl of her age was planted in her head when she visited a feeding scheme last year and saw how some kids have to sweat blood and tears to get something to eat.
“I went to a feeding scheme last year, and when I got there what I saw was so painful to me. I saw that most kids the same age as me were not there to have fun like others, but rather to at least have something in their stomach.
“I could see hunger from their eyes, so from that day I thought I should do something to help, that’s when I told my mother to assist me in helping them with something to eat at least once a week,” said the Grade 6 learner.
The soup idea manifested this year with the help of some of her friends and family, although she can manage to handle all the work by herself including cooking skills, her mother is always there to assist her as she is still young.
Speaking to Alex News, Bonolo said the determination to improve the lives of other young people also stems from the Child Protection Week that was celebrated from 30 May 30 to 6 June.
The Dr Knak Primary School learner runs the soup kitchen at her home in Alexandra on Tuesdays around 2pm, her service comes with some knowledge as she also teaches some kids about children’s rights.
“We have to know our rights and responsibilities as kids,” Bonolo said.
“Rights such as right to food, water, education, shelter, and love are important for us to know and understand them.”
When Bonolo is not busy with her schoolwork or running the soup kitchen, you will hear her on Alex FM on Saturdays as she is also a newsreader and presents a show called Bigger than Life between 9am and 10am.
Her mother, Teboho Moahludi says her dynamite needs sponsors because she uses her own pocket money to buy ingredients for the soup.
“I am proud of my daughter, the fact that she does this not only for herself but also for the disadvantaged children. I so wish she could get sponsors because she is dedicated to helping others,” Teboho said.
In conclusion, Teboho said Bonolo’s soup kitchen work does not interfere with her school work as she aces some distinctions.
