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PUPILS at Woodbridge Primary School took a small idea, turned it into an extra-mural activity and the result was a mountain of kindness and plenty for some of the homeless people in Cape Town to smile about.

The Woodie Outreach Team, a group of hard-working schoolgirls led by teacher René Bruwer, spearheaded an appeal to all the children, parents and staff at Woodbridge Primary School in Milnerton: “Donate bread, yummy fillings and wrapping for sandwiches.”

Bruwer said the response had been generous. The staff room smelled like a bakery, while the tables groaned under the weight of the food. There was enough to make more than 600 sandwiches.

And still there were unused loaves and ingredients left over. But everything was donated, through volunteer-run soup kitchen Ladles of Love, a shelter.

Four girls from the outreach team accompanied Bruwer to The Haven Night Shelter in Napier Street, Green Point.

There they helped peel veggies to make soup and later that evening they served the soup, along with the sandwiches, to the homeless people who queued for a good meal.

Bruwer said: “The girls realised how good it is to give and serve, as well as how privileged they really are.”

The pupils who cooked at the shelter said they had learnt a valuable life lesson although they had been a bit nervous at first.

Adaku Uzoechi, 11, who is in a Grade 5, said: “We felt a little scared about going to a shelter for the homeless.”

“But they were all so friendly,” said Netty Magosha, 11, who is in Grade 6. “I learnt you have to have a sharp peeler to prepare butternut for soup.”

Soqhama Ngcani, 11, also in Grade 6, said: “Now I know a little about how much work cooking is – and my mom does it every day.”

They admired the volunteers who work at the shelter every week. “They are so kind,” said Nkanyezi Manzini, 12, in Grade 6.

Would they do it again? They all responded with a resounding “yes.”