‘Seeing people happy makes me happy’

Coming from an impoverished background, Asavela Nqetho is trying to change people’s lives by donating preloved clothes and groceries.

Nqetho started her project, Spread Love Initiative from her home in Ntabankulu where she identified families that were in need of basic essentials.

She said: “I have experienced poverty, where I would wonder how I would get a meal or a new school uniform.

“I made a pledge to myself that children coming after me should not experience what I went through.

“If I can, I help every person I come across that is suffering.”

The University of Fort Hare student sacrifices her financial funds to help those who are in need.

“When I used to get NSFAS funding, I would rather buy groceries for people who are in need. Seeing people happy and grateful makes me happy.”

The 25-year-old goes out of her way to help fellow students who are in need of basics.

“Some students approach me and share their stores of not having clothes or food. 

“These students come from poor backgrounds, and they use their funds to help their families, which leaves them hungry.”

She said she gets the preloved clothes from people who see her posters on campus or on her social media platform.

“Some people donate money with which I buy groceries or send it to beneficiaries who need it.”

“I have a soup kitchen I hold in East London for those who are hungry. There are people who help me prepare the meals.”

She said there were challenges she encounters while running the organisation.

“Lack of transportation limits me in growing the initiative and help people in far away areas.

“I have to hire a vehicle when I visit families that are in great despair.

“I grew up with nothing, as I came from a disadvantaged home, but one thing I discovered by myself was that God has provided me with a brain to learn, and I have used that brain to get where I am today.”

As a God-fearing woman, she believes the work she is doing is a calling from God.

“I am a born-again Christian and I live by the spoken word written in the Bible about love. 

“Spreading love using the limited resources that I have is something I am not going to stop doing,” Nqetho said.

Lelethu Dimane nominated Nqetho for Local Hero for the good deeds she does.

“She is a kind-hearted person who always make sure that people about her are happy.

“Her passion of giving back to the community is inspiring, because it is rare seeing young people of her age  do good.”

DispatchLIVE