Women honoured for community service in Umbilo

AS Women’s Month drew to a close, the Ward 33 Committee together with The Nyema Foundation distributed food hampers in a bid to honour the women who have served the community by establishing clinics and soup kitchens in the area.

The hampers were distributed to members of the community at Kenneth Gardens on Tuesday, August 31.

Pat Masiase, a member of the Ward 33 Committee, said, “The event was about honouring senior women who have played a vital role in establishing community initiatives. These women are 60 years old and above. They have made visible strides in their communities. Some have run clinics in their communities. There is also The Carrots and Peas Soup Kitchen. These women set up these initiatives, which benefit the entire community especially the Kenneth Gardens residents. The soup kitchen serves about 100 people each day and the Senzokhule Wellness Clinic offers health care to residents,” she said.

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The committee distributed 10 hampers.

“These were substantial hampers with a range of items including, vegetables, milk, maize meal, cereal, beans, pilchards, cooking oil and laundry soap,” said Masiase.

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Among the beneficiaries were Maggie Khwela and Joyce Gunkel who served, for many years, as volunteers at The Carrots and Peas Soup Kitchen.

“I really didn’t expect anything. I appreciate that they were so concerned for us. We thank the organisations for calling us. We never expected these parcels,” said Khwela.

“It’s a big surprise for me to be recognised because I retired from the soup kitchen some time ago,” added Gunkel.