This is one of the reasons they will embark on the Soup Kitchen concept - this way they can be sure that each child is receiving a nourishing meal on a regular basis, and they can extend their services to more than the small group of children they are currently taking care of.

They will set up the kitchen in the home of one of the Women, Nokuthula, who works for the LCP, and who lives in the Lidgetton community. They will start small, so that the project is sustainable.

Bridges of Hope, the other active charity running in the area, is run predominantly by one woman, Sharon. She has presently 9 children in her care. They live with her full time. The older children are being home schooled, due to very poor schooling conditions in the local area, but are in need of more resources.

“They all have such a hunger for learning, it’s an absolute pleasure teaching them” says Sharon. Despite such challenging situations, the children still have a desire to learn, and they deserve this chance.

Sharon is slowly becoming more independent at home, for example: they have their own vegetable garden and chickens, they make their own bread, and use independent heating sources. She would like to make extensions on the house, but first needs supplies and funding for this.

Jürgen and I were able to visit the charities on our last visit to SA in February - this was both touching and disturbing to see how so many people are living in such a confined space with such poor facilities. It is probably no better or worse than a community in India, but it is close to my heart, and is one way I feel I can offer something back to a community that brought me up. I also feel it is so important for our children to grow up with a greater awareness of our Global society, and to learn young what the definition of compassion is.

If you are interested to support in any way, please let me know.

Recently my parents where here and took home with them 548 euro that we raised in the past 6 months through our yoga classes (every class you attend, a small percentage goes towards the project), Jürgen’s photography, and a couple of private donations (people raised money at their birthdays instead of receiving presents!).

Thank you to everyone for your contribution. We are living in financially challenging times, but we still live in a very privileged society here in Germany.

All funds raised for LCP are received personally by them, either delivered by my parents, or by me (Next trip, January 2012!).

Fiona Hayhoe-Weiland

Tags: Project Update