Striving to improve lives sees Themi Makefungana cooking for more than 100 people twice a week.
Makefungana, 25, lives in Chintsa East, where she works at a village centre.
“Since I have been here, I have seen the struggles of the children who hang around the centre, avoiding going home because there’s nothing to eat there because there is nobody employed.”
Touched by their plight, Makefungana started cooking and feeding children every Saturday and Sunday.
During the school holidays she cooks daily to prevent the children, who rely on the school nutrition programme, from suffering.
Once a month, more than a 100 people visit a mobile clinic in the area.
“People at the mobile clinic come from afar and spend the entire day waiting to be helped. Because there are no local shops, they can’t buy anything to eat,” said Makefungana.
To ensure that those who queue do not go hungry, the single mother sets up nearby and prepares food to serve them.
Makefungana said she had big plans for her community.
“I want to cook meals every day. Any donations of old fridges, gas stoves, anything that can help is much appreciated.”
When the Daily Dispatch visited the community yesterday, Makefungana and a few volunteers were cooking samp and beans in a number of three-legged pots on a fire outside the centre.
More than 30 villagers were waiting for the mobile clinic that arrived at midday. Lucy Dyonashe, who was in the queue, commended Makefungana for her cooking.
“We are elderly, sick people who travel long distances to get here, so by the time we get here we are often hungry. Then we still wait to be attended most of the day.”
Richard Kaleni said the meals helped because there were no nearby shops. “Sometimes even when you leave the house, there’s nothing, so it’s nice to know that when you get here you can have something to eat take medication.”
Her selfless deeds have inspired people from the community, who volunteer their time to help cook for those in need. She has also received donations from people who visit the area and learn of her good deeds.
Chintsa East resident Rose Clark, who nominated Makefungana, described her as an exceptional young woman who was always willing to help people with a cheerful smile.
“Themi undertook several fundraising activities and purchased a shipping container, which she has used to house the soup kitchen on a plot of municipal land.
“The facility is for vulnerable children to be cared for, fed and in some instances bathed and their laundry done because parents are either absent or destitute.”
Ward councillor Nosipho Gabayena said Makefungana had selfless, unconditional love for all children.
“She is an asset to the community and because of the work she does she has the support of all of us. She is the beacon of hope in our community.”
Chintsa hails ‘beacon of hope’
Makefungana, 25, lives in Chintsa East, where she works at a village centre.
“Since I have been here, I have seen the struggles of the children who hang around the centre, avoiding going home because there’s nothing to eat there because there is nobody employed.”
Touched by their plight, Makefungana started cooking and feeding children every Saturday and Sunday.
During the school holidays she cooks daily to prevent the children, who rely on the school nutrition programme, from suffering.
Once a month, more than a 100 people visit a mobile clinic in the area.
“People at the mobile clinic come from afar and spend the entire day waiting to be helped. Because there are no local shops, they can’t buy anything to eat,” said Makefungana.
To ensure that those who queue do not go hungry, the single mother sets up nearby and prepares food to serve them.
Makefungana said she had big plans for her community.
“I want to cook meals every day. Any donations of old fridges, gas stoves, anything that can help is much appreciated.”
When the Daily Dispatch visited the community yesterday, Makefungana and a few volunteers were cooking samp and beans in a number of three-legged pots on a fire outside the centre.
More than 30 villagers were waiting for the mobile clinic that arrived at midday. Lucy Dyonashe, who was in the queue, commended Makefungana for her cooking.
“We are elderly, sick people who travel long distances to get here, so by the time we get here we are often hungry. Then we still wait to be attended most of the day.”
Richard Kaleni said the meals helped because there were no nearby shops. “Sometimes even when you leave the house, there’s nothing, so it’s nice to know that when you get here you can have something to eat take medication.”
Her selfless deeds have inspired people from the community, who volunteer their time to help cook for those in need. She has also received donations from people who visit the area and learn of her good deeds.
Chintsa East resident Rose Clark, who nominated Makefungana, described her as an exceptional young woman who was always willing to help people with a cheerful smile.
“Themi undertook several fundraising activities and purchased a shipping container, which she has used to house the soup kitchen on a plot of municipal land.
“The facility is for vulnerable children to be cared for, fed and in some instances bathed and their laundry done because parents are either absent or destitute.”
Ward councillor Nosipho Gabayena said Makefungana had selfless, unconditional love for all children.
“She is an asset to the community and because of the work she does she has the support of all of us. She is the beacon of hope in our community.”
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