Waste project to be launched in Claremont

Roodepoort — The famous Fred and Martie Soup Kitchen in Claremont has announced plans for an exciting new project that could be the answer to poverty and health issues the community currently is facing.

The owner, Yolindie Oberholzer who took over the soup kitchen from her father, Fred who died in 2013, says, “Our aim at Fred and Martie’s Soup Kitchen in 2014 is to give back to the community.

“One way in which we can give back is to introduce a ‘mahala coupon’ project, officially named the Waste Recycling Project for Claremont, that will allow the community to purchase items from our ‘mahala’ shop in trade of recyclable items.

“Mahala coupons are obtainable by trading any recyclable items such as paper, glass and plastics. In turn you can purchase clothes, food items, school stationery, toiletries, basically anything that we have in our mahala shop. All the items in our shop are donations from companies and ordinary people like you and me.

“This project not only will tackle the waste disposal issue that is leading to harmful diseases in the community but also creates job opportunities and improve overall health.”

Fred and Martie’s Soup Kitchen has served the Claremont community with pride over the last 32 years. It is their desire to develop and expand their services to this needy community further with others’ support.

“We have always acted in the best interest of the community, we are fixing up the roads, creating a pleasant atmosphere by maintaining a sparkling clean soup kitchen with a beautiful garden and a secured play area for our children, and we provide over 100 000 meals to underprivileged children and elderly folk every year.

“Why are poor communities more exposed to pollution and why is it that these communities are more prone to diseases?

“Some of the poor health effects of waste disposal practices include the accumulation of harmful substances. They are also a breeding ground for pathogens. Finally, they could release a mass epidemic upon a community.

“Bad waste management practices can result in land and air pollution, which can cause various health problems within such a community for example: Respiratory and other adverse health effects as contaminants are absorbed from the lungs into other parts of the body.

“A community with poor sanitation and waste problems do not attract tourists, investors or people looking to live in that community. Such communities tend to have poor living standards and children are exposed to poor development.

“The purpose of the project is to instil self-worth, pride and dignity that get lost along the way for being poor. The project ultimately will curb the effect that pollution have on people’s health and poor early childhood development.

“This project will have a positive impact on education in the community, it will increase school attendance, and children will be more likely to obtain their matric qualification, which potentially can break the vicious poverty cycle.”

While the project will generate revenue and contribute to the long term sustainability of Fred and Martie’s Soup Kitchen, it also will have a positive impact within the community.

“In light this project demonstrating our love and genuine interest in the wellbeing of the Claremont community, we appeal to you for your support. We are in need of any household items, non-perishable foods, clothing, toys, sweets and basically anything that you no longer use that we can trade in our mahala shop,” Yolindie said.

If you want to get involved in this project you can contact Riaan or Yolindie Oberholzer on 082 854 6904 or if you want to make a financial contribution the banking details are Fred and Martie’s Soup Kitchen, Absa Bank, Cheque Account, Branch Code 630-341, Account Number 4041078559.