In Maak ’n Las, Humansdorp, a group of women have come together to create a strong support system, lifting each other during difficult moments while extending their generosity, by dedicating themselves to serving the community and providing weekly meals for the less fortunate, fostering a spirit of compassion and care.
Soup kitchen
Petronella Ruiters established “Nella’s Soup Kitchen” in November 2023 with help from women in her community.
She said that for many years countless children have knocked on her door seeking food; a reminder of the struggles faced by many underprivileged young people in her community.
Ruiters said she often felt heartbroken wondering about the daily hardships they endured.
After feeding many children from her home for years, she took the next step to formally register her soup kitchen as a non-profit organisation, to continue to not only feed children but also adults in her community, ensuring that no one goes hungry.
“My heart always feels pity when I see what the children go through. One day the Lord spoke to me and from that day I realised that this is my calling, to help to feed those in need,” said Ruiters.
Since establishing her soup kitchen, women from her community have generously offered to assist her to ensure that people in their neighbourhood receive a meal at least once a week.
According to Ruiters, the soup kitchen currently provides essential nourishment to around 70 children and adults every Tuesday, but they aspire to increase their reach by offering meals twice a week, pending the securing of additional sponsors to support their expansion plans.
The women who have joined her team are Jane Didloft, Estelle Windvogel, Sarah Pietersen, Aletta Miles, Mary Williams, Mercia Lewe, Natasha Windvogel and Rachel Felix.
Ruiters said the Maak ’n Las area has major challenges with drug abuse and violence, which has a profound impact on the community’s well-being and safety.
Fortunately, she said the soup kitchen serves as a vital lifeline, enabling them to identify women and children who have suffered abuse and provide them with crucial support and resources, offering a beacon of hope and refuge in times of need.
“It is important for women to stand together and learn from each other,” said Ruiters.
“Helpende Hande”
In addition to the work they do through the soup kitchen, the group of women have also remained dedicated to supporting one another.
Ruiters said that nearly a year after launching the soup kitchen, they took the initiative to establish two additional projects, the “Helpende Hande” savings club, and the Women in Need Project, further solidifying their commitment to supporting the community.
Further elaborating on the savings club, she said each month from January to December they each save a fixed amount of money which is used to buy additional groceries during the December festive period.
“It is a terrible feeling to see your neighbour celebrating and enjoying their holiday time while you are left with nothing, not even a small party packet for your child,” said Ruiters.
“In some cases, the children do not have food to eat or clothes to wear on Christmas Day.”
Even though many are disciplined with contributing towards the savings club, Ruiters said since it is a learning process, consistency can be a challenge, as some struggle to maintain their commitment.
As a result, she said that they continue to encourage and hold each other accountable when saving becomes tough, fostering a sense of community and collective responsibility.
Women in Need Project
Ruiters said that through the Women in Need Project they select one specific woman in their group, and collectively work towards helping with her challenges.
She said on Mandela Day, July 18, they helped Miles, by cutting her grass, cleaning her yard, and contributing towards her pre-paid electricity for the month.
Ruiters said that soon they hope to reach out to more women in their community to offer various forms of assistance.
“In all regards, women are the strongest in the house, and in many cases family members are dependent on the woman of the house to ensure that the household can remain fully functional,” said Ruiters. “Through this project we want to change one woman’s life at a time.”
Ruiters further highlighted the importance of women fostering a sense of community and solidarity, where they can share experiences, exchange wisdom, and uplift one another, ultimately leading to collective growth and empowerment.
