Even though Indlela’s Fairhavens Babies Home is the cause that I feel most connected to, Indlela reaches out to the community in a multitude of ways, one of which is through their wonderful Feeding Programme. I thought I would share some background about this project which does so much good.
Indlela’s Feeding Programme reaches out to the poor in our community and fulfills their Christian mandate of feeding the hungry.
The Feeding Programme is rooted in the Church of the Good Shepherd’s history of compassionate care for the needy. In late 2001, a group of dedicated volunteers started taking food to the poor in the informal settlement of Amaoti.
As a result of their personal sacrifice and perseverance, relationships were built with the community and gradually the numbers of volunteers and beneficiaries have grown, bringing health, help and hope to many in need.
Crèche Feeding Project
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” – Mother Teresa
Amaoti is a large informal community located less than 15 minutes drive from Durban North and Umhlanga, where poverty, unemployment and HIV/AIDS are rife and the number of orphans and child-headed households increase daily. Indlela provides a nutritious meal to children at crèches every weekday, which has proved to encourage attendance.
By partnering with another non-profit organisation that focuses on teacher-training and improving the physical condition of these crèches, Indlela aims to create a positive environment for the children to play and learn, preparing them for formal education.
Food for Thought School Sandwich Project
Indlela’s ‘Food for Thought’ project provides sandwiches every day for school children at Durban North schools who would otherwise have no lunch. Participating schools identify children who need feeding and distribute the sandwiches delivered by Indlela.
As the numbers of volunteers and donors grow, Indlela moves closer to realising their dream of a community where no child is too hungry to concentrate and learn.
Durban North Kitchen
Indlela has a fully-equipped industrial kitchen and storeroom on the Church of the Good Shepherd’s premises, which allows easy access to volunteers and donors. A dedicated vehicle and driver ensures that a reliable delivery service is provided. Under the efficient management of Yvonne Haviland, the kitchen is staffed by groups of volunteers who work in shifts to prepare sandwiches and soup.
Amaoti Kitchen
In February 2010, a generous donation by the Victor Daitz Foundation enabled Indlela to establish a large industrial kitchen on the border of Amaoti. The location of the new kitchen has not only made feeding Amaoti’s hungry children easier but also provides employment for members of the local community.
Extending the Feeding Programme
Indlela also feeds hungry families in the Durban North community that have been identified by the local schools and churches. Their vision is to develop and diversify theirr feeding programme so that they can meet the hungry at their place of need.
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yolk, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry … and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” – Isaiah 58:6-7
You can show your support for Indlela, and help feed the hungry, by donating to their cause here.
