Nana’s Soup Kitchen

Most people that know me will know that I spend a fair amount of time on my mountain bike.  Two of my close cycling friends Sean Stephenson and Ben Mathewson are cycling the Cape Epic and in the process are raising funds for the Hopetown Soup Kitchen for children. My roots are in Kimberley in the Northern Cape, which is an hour from Hopetown so that part of the Northern Cape is a very special place for me.  Have a good look at the two images below , one of which  will be printed on canvas to A0 approximately 1100mm x 800mm.  Make an offer on one of these prints and the highest bidder will be able to choose the print of their choice.  All proceeds will go to Nana’s Soup Kitchen in Hopetown.  Or just make a donation,  see details below.

Please make your offer for”COFFEE ON THE BANKS OF THE ORANGE RIVER” or “BLACK & WHITE ZEBRA”  at the bottom of this blog where it says LEAVE A REPLY or e-mail us on shawn@arkimages.com.

“COFFEE ON THE BANKS OF THE ORANGE RIVER” It was about minus five degrees when this image was photographed.

“BLACK & WHITE ZEBRA”

About Nana’s Soup Kitchen

Nana’s Soup Kitchen is approximately 120km south of Kimberley, Northern Cape. Hopetown may be a small town but its people have big hearts. “Nanna se sopkombuis” (Nana’s soup kitchen) is a place that will bring a smile, a clean face and a full tummy to many children who would otherwise be in a state of neglect. Most of the children are from dysfunctional families. Others do not have parents at all and are being brought up by sisters or relatives who are struggling themselves.

“Nanna se sopkombuis” was born in Sanna Gouws’ heart. If she were to speak, she would say that the Lord spoke to her about all the heartache that she sees around her daily. Sanna shared her burden with Karen Roos where she worked. This burden took root and in 2004 “Nanna se sopkombuis” was born. It is Sanna’s desire to work at grass roots level and have a hands on approach with the children. 50 Pre-school children receive breakfast and lunch and 350 children receive lunch after school. Sanna, with the help of two others, joyfully cook all the meals in two big pots and serves each child a mug of pap and stew. She always responds to a child who looks for a hug, needs someone to dry their tears, Vaseline rubbed on blistered lips, or those who sit under the table waiting for the food to cook. Charlotte du Raan and Karen Roos are in charge of marketing advertising, buying and transport of food etc. The two of them have signing rights on cheques. Daniel Fourie Accountants in

Hopetown are in charge of their books/finances. The soup kitchen rely solely on donations.

They depend on donations from many individuals in the town and district and are looking to God to supply their every need. Sanna works full time on the project with Karen and Charlotte behind the scenes in a supporting role. It is worth mentioning that most of the children scored a ‘4’ in their 2010 school year. Children are rated between 1 & 4 for various abilities, so therefore you can see that a 4 is amazing and we would like to think that Sanna helped them accomplish that as no child wants to learn with an empty stomach.

Needs: We would like to pay Sanna a monthly salary, employ someone to assist her and have a petty cash float. There is also a need for winter blankets, school clothes for children 7-10 years and sweat pants and tops (also for winter), a solar power geyser + cost of installation & 2 large pots (40 litre).

Sponsorships may be deposited into the following account:

Mathewson Gess Inc., Bank – Nedbank,

Branch – St. George’s Mall, Cape Town

Acc. No. – 1009718193, Branch code – 100909

Reference no. – H0267 Hopetown [& your name]

For more information please contact Ben Mathewson on 0832857657 or e mail ben@mgia.co.za. You can also click on this link for the Facebook page: About Nana’s Soup Kitchen  

“CAR ATTENDANT IN HOPETOWN”