NPO Londani Lushaka Feeding Scheme dishes up meals for over 400 hungry residents during lockdown
Since the start of lockdown, many people have joined other recipients in going to the NGO for support.
NPO Londani Lushaka Feeding Scheme is one of Alex’s organisations providing emergency food relief and other support to poor and vulnerable residents during the lockdown.
The demand for their intervention increased when companies and schools closed due to the lockdown. This resulted in the loss of incomes and school feeding schemes and many people joining other recipients of charity support.
“The demand for food quadrupled particularly for children when schools closed abruptly due to the coronavirus. “Over 400 of them gather early at our gates daily waiting for the food to be dished out and food parcels to be distributed at lunch time,” co-founder Irene Chauke said, adding that the children’s presence reflects the magnitude of poverty and suffering in the township.
“Their presence also enables us to detect their other material and psycho-social challenges through their [appearance] and behaviour.
“Many of us grew under similar backgrounds, understand how they feel to sleep on an empty stomach. We are in this field [for] the love of children and want to make a difference in their lives.”
Mavis Rathogwa, also a co-founder, said they registered the organisation as an essential services when the lockdown was announced. “We added the feeding to our weekend soup kitchen for 29 beneficiaries between three to 17 years of age under the after-care programme when the numbers suddenly increased to over 500.” She said those who come asking for help are also assisted. “This in keeping with our Ubuntu principle and the love for people in general.”
Rathogwa commended Tiger Brands company for the support, saying this was an extension of its school feeding scheme and food parcels programme; Albany which delivers bread daily; Checkers in Bryanston; Roots Butchery at Alex Mall and SA Harvest for donating meat, hot meals, veggies and groceries.
She said the after-care programme also provides homework support, holiday activities and community outreach in normal times. This, in addition to the Youth Development Programme run by a youth desk which supervises homework, exposes the beneficiaries to educational improvement and career opportunities and involves beneficiaries in campaigns and distribution of condoms.
The victim empowerment programme which provides counselling to the children and their support system, involves them in preparation of meals and also gardening to impart skills in self- sufficiency.
The HIV programme links the organisation with the national strategy of mitigating the disease’s impact on affected and infected children. “Also, it enables us to participate in networks of social and healthcare service providers.”
