The VGK Church soup kitchen in Keetmanshoop has been serving warm meals to about 500 school learners and community members since 2015.

Rev. Gerswen Mouton took over the initiative five months ago. Supported by an anonymous donor, the soup kitchen supplies meals to Hendrik Tseib, Minna Sachs, Don Bosko, Saint Matheus and Kronlein schools and to other vulnerable community members.

“If we count the number of children and community members, it’s around 500,” Mouton said. “Most are orphaned and vulnerable children. We coordinate with life-skills teachers to identify those in need and to check which children already receive school feeding. We also supply the school feeding schemes.”

Mouton said schools have reported positive feedback on the academic performance of beneficiaries.

Volunteer Elfrieda Eiman said seeing grateful faces on people who would otherwise go hungry motivates the team. “From the first commandment of God we are taught to love one another, and that means caring for each other,” she said.

The initiative, Mouton added, shows that giving back can make a real difference in a child’s life. Hundreds of learners receive a warm meal and a reminder that their community cares.