South Africa WCS Projects Tour, Part 3

As our journey continued, we visited another child centre and were welcomed by the excited children. After speeches from the local chief and officials, we heard the talented Umungi School choir. Then native Sangomas (healers) danced for the group in colourful traditional dress.

Later everyone enjoyed a traditional lunch and time with the children.  It was gratifying to see the love and devotion that the grannies gave to the little ones, many whom have no traditional family support.

That evening, we attended a Rotary meeting , where Paul Harris recognitions were presented to Pat Draper and Dave Martindale. PDG Doug Vincent spoke about Rotary's history and involvement with the United Nations. We learned about a 'Feedback'program which distributes rejected bread, leftover soup and food items from restaurants, caterers and supermarkets, to impoverished people.

Three of us volunteered to participate in deliveries.  At 5 am the next morning we were taken to the Feedback vehicle depot. We then proceeded to the Albany bakery to sort through bread that they cannot sell. In most cases the loaves are crushed or abnormal in shape but are otherwise wholesome and fresh. By 8 am, we had two cube vans loaded and were off to the townships.  Another driver also picked up soup and surplus food at the other suppliers, while we started our delivery route.

Our first delivery was to a school providing for students who may receive their only meal for the day in this way.  The principal said she sends loaves of bread home with students from the poorest families.  We were enthusiastically greeted by students and staff as we visited their tiny library and overcrowded classrooms.  Feedback also helps them grow some of their own food in a gardening project.

Our next stops were at improvised 'soup kitchens' run by local women from their makeshift homes. The first is coordinated by Mama Thokozle, a warm and resourceful woman who feeds over 300 people daily from her immaculate but primitive kitchen.  She and the hungry rely on the arrival of the Feedback van each day, which fills her little storage area only temporarily.

Again, Feedback facilitates gardening, where vegetables are grown for both food and a small income by local people.  It was gratifying to see the progress of these little gardening projects which give the local people a goal of self sufficiency, in addition to meeting their immediate daily needs.

It was an exciting and humbling experience for the three of us who participated. As we departed for the next leg of our journey, we reflected with admiration on how Rotarians help make a difference in the lives of many who would otherwise go hungry each day.

To see pictures of our activities, go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/DougVpics