The Lions Club of Tokai marked Mandela Day on Saturday 18 July with two community service projects in Tokai and Kalk Bay.

The club’s first project, “Soups, socks and stories”, was held at The Haven Night Shelter in Kalk Bay. The initiative provides soup and bread to people experiencing homelessness in a dignified and compassionate environment, while creating an opportunity to listen to their personal stories.

Clients of the shelter, together with rough sleepers who walked in off the street, shared how they came to be living on the streets and how they navigate the daily challenges of rough sleeping.

In appreciation for sharing their stories, they received underwear, beanies and socks.

Supporting mothers

For its second project, the club joined the Thula Baba Project, a non-profit organisation in Tokai that supports mothers in marginalised communities across Cape Town. The organisation provides parenting support, skills development classes and essential baby care supplies.

Collaboration

The theme of the Lions Club of Tokai’s Mandela Day activities this year was “Collaboration”.

“Mandela Day reminds us that meaningful change happens when people come together in service of others. Through collaboration with organisations already doing important work in our communities, we were able to make a small but meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable people while honouring Madiba’s legacy of compassion and service,” said club president Mark Rossouw.

The club thanked The Haven Night Shelter and the Thula Baba Project for partnering to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable and marginalised members of society.

The club also expressed its appreciation to the members who gave their time and energy to participate in both projects.

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