During our joyful 10 day visit to Drimiopsis in August, with Helge Mercker as our guide, Diane, Betty and Judy became well acquainted with CSN Board members and their vision for the Sanctuary Land that supports orphans in the community. We spent hours each day on the land with Chief Ita, the soup kitchen volunteers and the orphaned children who came to hold a special place in our hearts.
As school was out during our stay, CSNS hosted a daily soup kitchen on the Sanctuary Land feeding 75 orphans and dozens of other children from the community. Thanks to a special donation received from patrons of Diane’s hair salon in North Vancouver, the children received daily a special food item with their meal, such as meat, oranges, apples or peanut butter sandwiches. The children truly relished these unexpected treats!
Chief Ita (front in white) with several of the soup kitchen volunteers on the Sanctuary Land. These incredible volunteers prepare a meal of lentil soup, mealiemeal or rice in the outdoor kitchen behind them. The soup kitchen is sponsored twice weekly by CSNS with 75 orphans attending regularly. During the August visit, the soup kitchen fed up to 140 children each day.
CSNS Board members Betty Owen, Diane Mawson and Judy Dunbar serving the children their meal prepared by the regular volunteers. What a joy and privilege it was to serve these precious children!
Two of Zuma’s children enjoying a meal from the soup kitchen.
Chief Ita on the Sanctuary Land with the outdoor kitchen behind her. Along with two other volunteers, Chief Ita made the bracelets on the tree beside her. We purchased the bracelets with the intention to offer them for sale at future fundraisers.
Some children playing on the Sanctuary Land. Chief Ita reports, “I am so happy that many children have been lifted and supported by their presence on the Sanctuary Land. Through the soup kitchen held there, their connection and sense of belonging to the land is growing”.
To hear more about our Namibian adventures scroll down to read The Mother House and A Visit to Sanveld Kindergarten.
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