Helping the Homeless Volunteers Cook Up A Curry

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

email

WORDS Calum Wilson

For a self-confessed rookie chef, cooking for around 100 homeless men and women living on the streets of one of Cape Town’s largest suburbs seemed a daunting task but, with the numerous helping hands of the Projects Abroad volunteers, the chicken curry and rice was quickly knocked up and shipped out to the community of Parow.

Everyone, from volunteers to staff, helped with the preparations and cooking. Photo: Yvonne Steiner

The preparation took place at the Human Rights office where every inch of the tiny kitchen was put to good use to create the two huge pots of food. It was all hands on deck as members of staff and volunteers pitched in, with the jobs ranging from the peeling and chopping of the vegetables to the washing of the chicken.

Once cooked, the food joined me and the 20 or so fellow volunteers on the minibuses. When we arrived, we were met with a sight which none of us were familiar with, an entire street of makeshift homes made up of anything that could be used to sleep on or as protection from the elements. We found a few locals sheltering in the shade, away from the midday sun on the opposite side of the road. The food was unloaded and distributed to the local community and within minutes the line grew from 10 to around 100 as word spread of the curry.

With very little resources, people do what they can to get by. Photo: Yvonne Steiner

When you consider perhaps how hungry these people may have been and even how long it might have been since their last proper meal, they were incredibly patient as they queued. There was even a joke or two to be heard between the locals as they waited. Each person was given a healthy portion of curry and rice and offered a refreshing drink, which would have been well received on a day when the temperature reached a sweltering 32°C. Despite the huge number of hungry locals, no one went without and a few were able to get a second helping of rice. Needless to say, the pots were returned to the office empty.

For me, the highlight of the day was not the feel-good factor you get when helping people less fortunate than yourself, but rather the look of relief and gratitude on the faces of those we were feeding. It was an opportunity to meet great characters who despite having almost no resources, were still able to smile and joke and create strong friendships amongst themselves. The unity and care for one another was evident.

Volunteers dished out food or more than 100 people. Photo: Yvonne Steiner

The hardest part was packing away and leaving, knowing that despite the good you have just done, the people on that street would most likely still be there tomorrow and the following week, facing the same daily struggles. Despite this, I knew that Projects Abroad would continue their great work in helping the less fortunate, like the homeless in Parow, and that I had been a small part of the huge process of voluntary aid and support.

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

email