Edna's Soup Kitchen Plettenberg Bay - South Africa

Wesley’s association with projects in South Africa began in 1992 with the meeting of Rev. Ray and Edna Light during a visit by three Wesley members  to celebrate the International Decade of Women at a conference in Durban.

Touched by the plight of marginalized Black women and children living in poverty and fear in designated areas as a result of Apartheid, Wesley Cambridge rallied to raise funds to support a self-help sewing group and soup kitchen, provide educational supplies and refurbish a childcare centre.

Following the retirement of Ray and Edna from ministry in Pinetown and their subsequent move to Plettenberg Bay, their efforts to assist their Black brothers and sisters continued and so did Wesley’s commitment. This has resulted in the development of very close relationship with the Lights. Another self help sewing group was started, a church was built and a huge feeding scheme for seniors and children began in the surrounding squatter communities.Since 1998 to the present Wesley”s AfriCan Link Fund has supported these efforts.

In 2008 a partnership with Craig’s Group Travel, Toronto was established which has greatly enhanced the ability of the fund to support Edna’s work, particularly in Q’olweni, a very poor squatter community on the outskirts of Plettenberg Bay. Most recently a pre school  was created in the storage room of the soup kitchen to give young children a supervised play and learning environment. Mary and Chuck Weismiller of Wesley have visited often and work with Edna Light.

In 2014  Mary trained two ladies from the Q’olweni community to teach this class of three, four and five year olds and developed an on- going curriculum. Chuck and a friend made wooden building blocks which became very popular.

The AfriCan Link Fund  continues to provide nutritional soup mix powder for the soup kitchen as well as financial support for the newly established pre – school [Eyethu.] Each child receives 3 meals/day when in school.

The donor list has grown to include not only Wesley folk and Wesley Apple Corps, but also Craig tourists, Cambridge residents and several other church communities across Ontario. With the exception of Banking charges, 100% of all contributions benefit the needy in this squatter area. Donations may be given to “Wesley United Church, AfriCan Link Fund”. Charity tax receipts will be issued.

Photos show the squatter community, the soup kitchen and the Eyethu Pre-school class.