SECUNDA – Bowls of hot soup, bread and oranges brightened up the tired and weary faces of many living on the streets in Secunda on Thursday night, 14 June.
The newspaper joined the handful of young women of Legit Hope on their weekly food run to see what makes them go back week after week.
The women have in common their youth, zest for life and giving hearts.
They also have their own things going on – one is pregnant and another one is fighting cancer.
Yet, there is a visible bond between them.
They go out and give food to the homeless before it becomes too late at night and the people on the street are too scared to get up from their chosen spot.
Among the more than 70 people who queued at the various places that they stopped around town to dish up and hand out the meals, some were barefoot and others were wrapped in blankets to ward off the worst cold.
The faces in the line varied in age and the degree of heaviness of living on the streets.
Oom Johnny and his three dogs came alive from under their blankets when they heard the food call.
He shared his meal with his already well-fed pets. Vusi is a known face and the women consider him a friend. He seemed friendly and well versed.
The women immediately spotted a newcomer. He appeared to be in his late 20s.
He claimed that his heroin addictions have now forced him onto the streets and asked for help.
There were faces from all races in the queues. A woman or two also came closer.
Four prostitutes shivering from the cold gladly accepted the warmth of the food offerings.
At the end of the night a head count was done – this week there was an all-time high of 78 people who received food.
“The shutdown is coming. We expect a lot more people on the street in that time,” said Ms Samantha Byrne. Legit Hope is her brainchild.
The team who stands by her, is her wife, Tanya, Ms Brigitte Binneman, Ms Liza-Marie Meyer, Ms Monica Odendaal and Ms Terry-Lee Kleynhans.
