Putting smiles on hungry little faces

Kristien Kruger
Help4Nam aims to provide meals to as many children as possible this winter and has already assisted around 450 people with a hot plate of food in recent days.
Help4Nam is looking for businesses that want to make a difference in their communities to take part in the initiative - Sponsor a day at a children's kitchen - to benefit disadvantaged children.
Two soup kitchens were helped by the initiative on Friday in Rehoboth and on Monday in Okahandja.
Grysblok, Okahandja
Lewcor Plant Hire sponsored meals at the Mommy's Soup Kitchen on Monday. This soup kitchen is located in the informal settlement Grysblok in Okahandja.
"Help4Nam reached out for donations and they [Lewcor] were willing to sponsor our soup kitchen in Okahandja," said Eileen Louw of Help4Nam.
Every Thursday, Mommy's Soup Kitchen serves soup and cookies to children in the area and between 80 and 100 children benefit from it every week.
"With the help of sponsors, it is possible also to give soup and fat cakes on Mondays. We are very grateful for the help because it puts smiles on hungry faces. Elderly people also come for soup and to eat something, and we don't turn them away," says Eileen.
Rehoboth
Help4Nam also served as a sponsor to provide meals at Little Steps on Rehoboth's Blok-B on Friday. Little Steps helps children in the community after school to improve their reading skills, among other things.
"We provided about 200 to 250 children and a few adults with meals. It went very well, we are grateful to Little Steps and every volunteer who helped, as well as Block B and the community," said Lizl Lorenz from Help4Nam, who was involved in this event.
Lizl goes on to say that Help4Nam decided to sponsor the event themselves because they couldn't wait. They are trying to do something in every town at least twice a month this winter.
"That's why we ask that businesses help us with the project."
Businesses and sponsors
Help4Nam works with local soup kitchens and hopes to provide nutritious, hot meals to children at least once a week this winter with the help of businesses in Okahandja, Rehoboth and Windhoek.
"This initiative offers a unique opportunity for your company to get involved while giving back to the community. Your team will immediately step in and roll up their sleeves to help serve a meal to the children and you can see first-hand what a difference your generosity makes," says Stephanie Collins, the founder of Help4Nam.
Businesses can donate N$4 000, which can provide about 300 children with meals in one day. The price includes the purchase and delivery of food, drinks and firewood. The respective soup kitchens provide the cooks, cutlery and necessary tools.
The attendance of staff is optional. Businesses can also just donate the money without actually being involved in the soup kitchen and the serving of food.
Businesses interested in being part of this initiative can contact Help4Nam at [email protected]. – [email protected]