When Stephan and Sabine invited me to accompany them to Okahandja, I was immediately curious. Meme Kauna, the driving force behind the Soupkitchen, gave us a tour of the project that day - and I was deeply impressed.
Several hundred people stood in front of the gate. They were all waiting for Kauna to decide who would receive the much-needed maize delivery that day. It was a real challenge for her: With a week of holidays coming up, she had to prioritize who needed the commodity the most. This decision shows how complex and emotional the work here is.
After Kauna had taken care of this important task, she made time for me. I was given a comprehensive insight into the Soupkitchen, which cooks a hot meal for up to 1,600 children three times a week - vital support in a region where many children struggle with hunger and underdevelopment.
What particularly touched me: The children walk several kilometers from the nearby township with their own bowls and containers to the soup kitchen, where they wash their hands and then line up in a row of one and wait patiently for their meal. On the day I was allowed to be a guest, it was a Friday, they had fish stew with vegetables. A restaurant in Windhoek provided leftover fish, which is of high quality but cannot be processed into fillets. It was accompanied by rice and sometimes fruit - a small luxury that is not always enough for everyone. It is hard to imagine how much this hot meal changes the children's everyday lives.
Those who visit Namibia as tourists rarely realize the challenges that exist here in everyday life. The hunger and need are real - and the Soupkitchen makes a huge difference and contributes to the development of these children and young people. It is a place to come together and it addresses one of the most basic human needs: Satisfying hunger!
What can we do together?
The Soupkitchen is currently working with Sabine and Stephan and Kauna on site with donations to meet the challenge of cooking 3 times a week. The aim is to provide the children and young people with one hot meal a day, five days a week, to make their everyday lives a little easier.
If you would like to find out more about the project, please visit the website. For me, this visit was an important reminder of how valuable every little and individual support is and our common goal: 5 meals a week! -> Donate
Doris Stöger