Outside the Bowl Africa, a Paarl-based NGO, and Samaritans Feet SA have announced a collaboration on the Food for Soles project, launching on Mandela Day 2024. The initiative addresses the needs of disadvantaged youth in South Africa by providing 67,000 vulnerable children with shoes, socks and access to nutritious meals.
The Food for Soles project seeks to go “beyond charity” as it focuses on restoring dignity, providing hope and creating opportunities for these children to thrive, explains Outside the Bowl Africa.
The initiative is set to launch on Thursday, July 18 as part of Mandela Day, a day that symbolizes Nelson Mandela’s commitment to fighting poverty and promoting social justice. In choosing this day, the project aims to harness the spirit of Mandela’s legacy to inspire action and change, says the NGO.
According to Outside the Bowl Africa, the initiative will be implemented in:
- Cape Winelands District
- Cape Town Metro
- Gauteng
- Eastern Cape
- North Cape
- KwaZulu-Natal and
- Lesotho.
“Every contribution, whether financial or in-kind, will play a vital role in transforming the lives of 67,000 children and building a brighter future for our communities,” said Loren Erasmus, Executive Director of Outside the Bowl Africa. “This project is urgent and much needed. In South Africa, many children walk long distances to school, often without proper footwear, which affects their health, education and overall well-being.”
“The lack of nutritious food further exacerbates their difficulties, leading to problems such as malnutrition, stunted growth and impaired cognitive development. By addressing these basic needs, the Food for Soles project hopes to create a foundation for these children to build a better future,” adds Erasmus.
Outside the Bowl Africa encourages individuals to help by donating here and using the reference Robin67K.
“By coming together to support the Food for Soles project, we can make a massive impact on disadvantaged children in South Africa. Let’s honor Mandela’s legacy by making a difference where it is needed most. Through collective action , we can help transform lives and build a better future for all,” says Erasmus.
Erasmus concludes: “Our ongoing initiatives involve community outreach where we can raise awareness of the urgent need to create a safe and nurturing environment for these children, where their basic needs are met and allow them to focus on their education and general well-being. Rest assured that the spirit of Mandela Day is maintained throughout the year, contributing to lasting positive change in communities and honoring Nelson Mandela’s legacy of service, equality and justice. »
For more information, visit www.samaritansfeet.co.za or www.africaotb.org. You can also follow Outside the Bowl Africa on Facebook or Instagram.
*Image courtesy of the contributor
