WATCH: Local pensioner (68) goes beyond to feed less fortunate families
The home of well-respected pastor Elizabeth Snyders in Eden Park has become a beacon of hope for many.
After seeing a need to feed the Eden Park community, Snyders established an NPO in 2017 on Mandela Day.
The organisation, Lethukukhanya, which means bringing light, was established by senior resident Elizabeth and her husband, Barend Snyders.
They have throughout the years been assisted by businesses and individuals to continue making a difference in the lives of others.
According to Elizabeth, the organisation helps the elderly, disabled, orphans, and any community member in desperate need.
“We help take care of them by providing meals twice a week during the day. We cater for at least 145 pensioners, with the oldest aged 94, and 15 disabled members as well as 65 children who we provide food for after school. I just want to make a difference in the community,” she said.
Their organisation is also said to create opportunities to try and raise funds for community members.
WATCH: A video showing one of Elizabeth Snyders’ sessions with the elderly
Bringing change
The pastor has for years taken care of less privileged communities even before establishing her life-changing organisation.
“I was forever involved with feeding schemes, even before the establishment of the organisation and I did it under the umbrella of the church. As the initiative grew I then saw a need to register as an organisation in order to receive funding and other forms of donations,” she said.
To run effectively, she is dependent on donations from businesses and a group of generous donors from Brackenhurst who have kept them going.
She told the RECORD that at times she uses her pension grant to buy veggies to ensure that her beneficiaries have a balanced diet.
They currently drop off meals to their beneficiaries’ homes in an effort to curb the spread of the pandemic.
She said: “I have also committed to working hand in hand with CanSurvive Support Group. This is a support group which was also established in 2017 and is dedicated to supporting cancer patients and its survivors. They are very supportive and changed a lot of people’s lives in the community.”
Encounters
In her mission to change lives, she also took it upon herself to transport their seniors to different clinics and hospitals for their regular check-ups.
“Since lockdown began I committed to paying these beneficiaries a visit in their homes, but I later decided to cater for those who were around me. My biggest problem is transportation. It is always an issue to transport the disabled and elderly with my small vehicle,” she said.
She is appealing to the community to assist them in their journey of changing lives.
Should you wish to lend a helping hand, contact Elizabeth on 079 539 6206.
She also thanked the support greatly received from Madeira Gardens, Regal Security and South African actress Sindi Dlathu and local councillor Dino Peterson.
