A 17-year-old girl from Bonteheuwel has been hailed a hero by her neighbours for feeding the elderly and children every day.
Each morning Ayesha Roode ropes in her family and neighbours to help her prepare a large pot of mielie meal which she serves from her parents home in Juniper Street.
Inspired by the community work of her parents, Abduragmaan and Kashiefa, the meisie emptied her mom’s kassies when she noticed people going hungry during lockdown.
Ayesha Roode, 17, of Bonteheuwel
Dad Abduragmaan, 54, is a coordinator for the Bonteheuwel Covid-19 Response Team which assists sukkeling residents.
Ayesha initially assisted her father with data capturing those in need, but she wanted to do more.
“I thought about the porridge in the cupboard and said to my sister, ‘why don’t we make porridge for the people?’ and everyone jumped in,” the teen says.
“You know, whenever someone comes to my mommy for help, she will always gives anything she can so that inspired me.”
The next day she lobbied her neighbours and together they erected a cooking stand and now each morning hungry residents line up.
SERVE: Residents line-up in Juniper Street to get their daily porridge
“The first day it was already a success and everyday since April we have been making porridge,” says Ayesha.
“Then we started making food that we hand out in the afternoon.
“Every day we make one 60-litre pot and we can feed up to 250 people. I focus on children and elderly people. My dad got two donors and we get from Henriette Abrahams of the response team.”
Mom Kashiefa, 46, adds: “We are very proud of her and we all support and help, even if Ayesha doesn’t like washing the pots!”
Pensioner Harold Daniels, 69, says he is first in line: “I thank God that there are people like this who provide others with food.”
Ayesha is now appealing for help to continue: “We need so much more and we would also like to change it up and give out oats or something else that stretches far.”
To assist, contact 073 8653 714
.