Despite being evicted and watching her home being demolished right in front of her eyes, Venterspost resident Demi van Wyk remains dedicated to helping the community through her charity organisation.
Van Wyk is the CEO of the non-government organisation (NGO) Pink Angels Cares NPC which helps provide food for the needy in the Venterspost community and its surrounds. They also distribute sanitary packs to teen girls in need.
• Also read: Power outage crisis in parts of town and what is being done about it
She recently had her house destroyed by Sibanye-Stillwater during an eviction process and that’s where Van Wyk, who is a mother of two, ran her soup kitchen from. She would also cook hot meals for the community of Venterspost every day without fail and ensure that no one in her community goes to bed hungry. All that is now proving to be somewhat difficult, as she doesn’t have a roof over her head or a place to operate her soup kitchen from.
She is currently residing at her sister’s place in Randgate with her husband and two children, who still haven’t come to terms with the fact that they no longer have a home.
Speaking to the Herald in an interview, Van Wyk said her soup kitchen has been hugely affected by the eviction.
“Since my house was demolished, the need for help is growing from my Venterspost community and my phone is constantly ringing with calls for help for food and winter clothes. I also have teenage ladies who need the dignity packs and I try to make a plan where I can, like I always did.
“But now it’s more stress on my shoulders because I don’t have a roof over my head. I don’t have a home anymore. Despite this, I also believe that no one should go to bed hungry, and no one should struggle, although I am struggling myself.
I can’t help everyone at this moment but at least I can try helping one person at a time. My biggest concern is the elderly people and young children that need food. When we had the soup kitchen, that was their only meal of the day,” said Van Wyk.
Pink Angel Cares NPC has been operating for four years but Van Wyk has been in the business of caring for others for 17 years through other charity organisations.
The organisation gets help from different individuals from across the country who donate food, clothes, and sometimes funds, which go a long way in helping those in need.
• Lees ook: Honderde gevoed danksy organisasie
Although it has been affected due to Van Wyk’s eviction, it will continue to operate and feed the hungry.
“If I get a family that needs help, I will make a plan to go and assist. But it is far, and it will cost me more petrol because I no longer reside in Venterspost at the moment due to the demolition,” said Van Wyk.
Read the latest edition of the Herald dated May 12 for Sibanye-Stillwater’s comment about the eviction.
