UWC student starts food aid scheme

AFTER noticing students from disadvantaged backgrounds were going hungry, Tiwonge Kondowe, a psychology and linguistics student at the University of Western Cape, started the Each One Feed One initiative.

The project, which began last year, has already assisted more than 100 students at UWC.

“The different stories I heard from students, especially those who come from other provinces, were heartbreaking. I told my friends about this idea, which they liked and came on board. Many of these students come from poverty-stricken households and we took it upon ourselves to try and alleviate one of the many problems that they face,” Kondowe said.

She said when lecturers heard about the initiative, they also came on board and a Facebook page called UWC Fairy Godmother was launched to help students in need.

“Students who are embarrassed to speak about their problems inbox, and others share anonymously. We also created a WhatsApp group. So far we provide healthy lunches to about 110 students,” Kondowe said.

Abongile Ndlazilwana said: “At times we go to bed on an empty stomach, and have early classes the next day. I use to buy groceries with Pick n Pay vouchers from NSFAS, but I haven’t received it this year yet.”

Another student, Refilwe Rakanang, said she was assisted by the initiative.

“I came to write a supplementary exam in January and ran out of food. I’m from Mpumalanga and stay with an unemployed single parent. I didn’t have food of my own and I depended on my friends, which was really embarrassing,” Rakanang added.