Recognising that many children come from disadvantaged backgrounds and often go to school without lunch, Helping Hand for the Abused is ensuring that Mid Ennerdale’s children receive a nutritious lunchbox each day. Every morning, Charmaine Booysems, Suraya Abdi and Odette kerspuye, ensure that sandwiches are prepared, to give children the energy they need to learn and thrive throughout the day.
With community support and donations, Helping Hand for the Abused supplies children with bread, peanut butter, jam, eggs, mayonnaise, polony, cheese, juice and snacks.
Their acts of kindness are met with smiles and gratitude from the children. With the support of generous well-wishers, this initiative perfectly embodies the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Founder Charmaine Booysems, told Globe Post: “No child should start the school day hungry! The smile I see on children’s faces motivates me to keep on working hard to make sure I provide sandwiches to those who don’t have lunch packs. When I started on 14 January, I was serving around 50 children-now, that number has grown to more than 150.”
“I hope to help even more children, expand my team, and eventually open a safe house for abused women and children. My vision includes offering counselling, afterschool programs and skills training. I also provide food parcels to struggling families, as the need in my community is immense,” Booysems added.
Want to help? Reach out to Charmaine Booysems on 063 005 0009 to donate or support this life-changing initiative.
