Michelle Walker, a mother of two, despite her unemployment and residence in the informal settlement of New Culture, has decided to contribute to her community by organizing a feeding program for children and the elderly.
Despite financial difficulties similar to those of her neighbors, she and her husband Jason are making every effort to provide warm meals for the children and elderly residents of New Culture, especially with winter approaching in the Western Cape.
Walker explained that they live in an informal settlement in Hyelitsche, between Swartklip and Mitchells Plain, and have been living there for two years. She noticed a need to create a feeding scheme for needy children and the elderly.
"My husband is Jason Sydney Walker (he likes to use his full name) and I took on the commitment to open a feeding scheme to at least help those in the community," she said. "Right now, we are doing this out of our own pockets."
For Walker and Jason, who works part-time, this venture represents a significant sacrifice. However, Walker asserts that with the support of the local community, they can care for the most vulnerable people.
She added that sometimes Jason's boss helps, but they also appeal to the public for assistance, such as donations for dinner, to feed all members of the community.
Despite the modest start, Walker has big plans to help her community. She launched her non-profit organization (NPO) Strive New Culture Organisation on Monday, August 10th, although she is still awaiting official documentation.
"It has always been my dream to establish my own NPO, but I didn't know which path to choose. And in just one day, I approached social development and asked what I could do? Then I told my husband: look, many people in our community need help, and he is someone who will support me in everything," she shared. "We did this to show our children that it's not just about us as a family, but that we must also consider others as part of our family."