Christa enjoys being WAS Foundation volunteer
Christa Haumann became a volunteer because she wants to make the world a better place.
Christa Haumann (29) from Alberton, a volunteer from the WAS Foundation, has been cooking and feeding the homeless for a couple of years.
“I love what I’m doing. I cook for the street people once a week and volunteer at an old-aged home in Vereeniging. My passion is to help those that can’t help themselves. It makes my heart so happy just to be there for someone,” she said.
The Alberton Record visited Christa to find out more about her life and volunteer work.
A smile can tell a thousand words
Christa said it warms her heart to feed others. “Those facial expressions after handing them a plate of food is something I can’t describe.”
WAS Foundation is not just a place for her, it is her happy place. “It is a place where we all can be the same, a place where we can spread love and kindness.
“If I can make a difference in one person’s life then I’m happy.”
According to her, it is not always easy being a volunteer. “Sometimes we laugh, but most of the time we cry – not just because of the sad cases we work with but the joy of helping someone else. It is not easy working with needy people as you almost feel their pain, you share in their pain.”
“I cook and prepare 80 containers of food and due to other organisations feeding the homeless during the week, I chose to feed them over the weekends.
“The most heartbreaking part of all of this is when there are more people than 80 people in the queue and I, unfortunately, have to tell them that there is no more food available. Whenever I get the opportunity or donations to add something extra like a packet of chips or sweets or cool drink I will add it to the container of food.”
WAS is there to create safe places for families and children where no one goes to bed hungry or cold and are treated with love and care.
“It is our mission to provide basic resources to those who go without life’s essentials and to protect innocent children from harm and to teach them necessary life skills.”
She said that everyone has their way of spreading love and her way is not only by cooking for others but also by being there for others. “Even if it is a hug or something to eat. Not everyone can help but one smile or even a hug can make a huge difference in someone else’s life,” she said.
“Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to be the light in the world. We can’t live our dreams without your help. Please keep on supporting us,” she said.
Points of distribution
• Alberton SAPS in Alberton North.
• The bridge on Ring Road across from Game at Alberton City.· Timber City in 1 Glen Albyn Street.
• KFC in Florentia on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Du Plessis Road.
• Romanz Pizza in Florentia.
• Voortrekker Road near the N12-offramp.
It all depends on where the homeless are sleeping. “We will drive around town and search for people in need. Sometimes it takes us a whole day,” she said.
A foundation against starvation
The WAS Foundation was founded in 2009 by Esmarelda van Zyl, rescuing animals from local townships and re-homing them into loving approved homes.
In 2011 Esmarelda won the Nedbank Hero of the Year Award and was donated R10 000, which she decided to give back to those who helped her in achieving the award – the community. That was also when Coronation Park, a white township in Krugersdorp, was discovered.
Soon it was not only about helping desolate animals, but Esmarelda decided to give a voice to the people who could not speak for themselves, our starving community!
Esmarelda and her team of volunteers have been working non-stop since that day to uplift the communities that they touch.
Wishlist
• 20kg chicken
• 10kg beef mince
• 20kg rice
• 10kg Macaroni
• 5kg soup powders
• Soap and face cloths.
• Any type of second-hand goods, especially clothing and shoes for children and adults
Donations can be dropped off at 3A 8th Avenue in Alberton North or contact Christa on 078 762 2796.
Every little bit counts
You can help the foundation in a variety of ways, and even those who can’t help can raise awareness by liking and sharing the foundation’s posts on social media.
Ways to support them:
• Subscribe on Facebook.
• Donate via Paypal or Yoco.
• Make a financial donation to their FNB cheque account with account number 62787363937, branch code 250017 or to their ABSA bank account with account number 9203876683, branch code 632005 and swift code ABSAZAJJ.
Visit their website or contact Esmarelda at esmarelda@wasfoundation.org.za for more information.
