Catering to the less fortunate
A place of refuge
A soup kitchen project was launched in 2019 at Keetmanshoop Secondary School and currently provides around 80 learners with regular meals.
With many learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, Keetmanshoop Secondary School's soup kitchen has become a place of refuge, providing a nutritious meal to learners.
"Most of the time, a situation will present itself where a learner approaches me about their situation at home and that they would like to be enrolled in the soup kitchen," Janine Diergaardt, a teacher at the school, said.
One of the challenges faced at the soup kitchen includes a rapid increase in the number of learners in need, which puts pressure on the resources to accommodate them.
Diergaardt said at times they run out of food, and learners have to wait a few days until funds become available to provide meals again.
Helpful interventions
Nevertheless, going home after a long day knowing the big difference they have made in learners' lives is one of their greatest highlights, she said.
Earlier this year, the soup kitchen received a sponsorship of clothing and shoes from the TFG Group of companies, and each learner was provided with donated items.
"Occasionally, I also provide the less fortunate girls with care packages, which include sanitary pads, toiletries and hygiene products.
"The most important thing that our soup kitchen does is to provide these kids with a sense of belonging. Here they are not judged, discriminated against or made to feel less than," Diergaardt said.
In the next few years, they hope to see the soup kitchen expand in terms of infrastructure and resources to be able to serve more learners on a daily basis, she added.
Come on board
The school would also like to engage sponsors with regards to foodstuffs and vegetables as well as sanitary and hygiene products.
Diergaardt acknowledged the generosity of people in the community and local businesses who believe in the cause.
They are also grateful for the support of Cashol Reeva Mouton and Sandra Steenkamp, teachers from Keetmanshoop Secondary School, who support the soup kitchen financially on a monthly basis.
If you would like to support the soup kitchen, contact Diergaardt at 081 204 9537 or the school at 063 224 005.
"Most of the time, a situation will present itself where a learner approaches me about their situation at home and that they would like to be enrolled in the soup kitchen," Janine Diergaardt, a teacher at the school, said.
One of the challenges faced at the soup kitchen includes a rapid increase in the number of learners in need, which puts pressure on the resources to accommodate them.
Diergaardt said at times they run out of food, and learners have to wait a few days until funds become available to provide meals again.
Helpful interventions
Nevertheless, going home after a long day knowing the big difference they have made in learners' lives is one of their greatest highlights, she said.
Earlier this year, the soup kitchen received a sponsorship of clothing and shoes from the TFG Group of companies, and each learner was provided with donated items.
"Occasionally, I also provide the less fortunate girls with care packages, which include sanitary pads, toiletries and hygiene products.
"The most important thing that our soup kitchen does is to provide these kids with a sense of belonging. Here they are not judged, discriminated against or made to feel less than," Diergaardt said.
In the next few years, they hope to see the soup kitchen expand in terms of infrastructure and resources to be able to serve more learners on a daily basis, she added.
Come on board
The school would also like to engage sponsors with regards to foodstuffs and vegetables as well as sanitary and hygiene products.
Diergaardt acknowledged the generosity of people in the community and local businesses who believe in the cause.
They are also grateful for the support of Cashol Reeva Mouton and Sandra Steenkamp, teachers from Keetmanshoop Secondary School, who support the soup kitchen financially on a monthly basis.
If you would like to support the soup kitchen, contact Diergaardt at 081 204 9537 or the school at 063 224 005.
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