Moms start drive to feed children

TWO Durban moms have started a community organisation to provide relief and assistance to the impoverished areas of Chatsworth and Shallcross.

Nadia Harishankar and Sharmaine Santhlall of Shallcross started Hopeza in August last year to provide sandwiches to school-going children to ensure no child goes to school hungry.

Harishankar said when they started off it was just a sandwich drive.

“The unrest last year made us realise the challenges faced by many. It then kicked off after Sharmaine’s son returned from school one day and said a child fell asleep in class because he was hungry and had not eaten from the day before.

“We then said we would provide lunch for that child. We made contact with a teacher at the school and she said it was not just one child but many others.

“We were going to start off with just two schools in Shallcross, until we were approached to assist a Chatsworth school.

“We make the sandwiches from our homes, thanks to generous sponsorships. As parents, we couldn’t just sit back knowing there was a child going to school with no food,” said Harishankar.

The duo are now looking for people to help sponsor children by providing new or pre-loved uniforms, school shoes and stationery.

“Wearing pre-loved clothing is how many of us grew up so we thought let’s start with that. People have been cash strapped, but whatever we have been able to receive we have distributed at three schools: Simla Primary and Malvern Primary in Shallcross and Seven Hills Primary in Chatsworth.”

Harishankar said they have also been assisting a family in Welbedacht where there were four children.

“We are trying to get those children into school,” she said.

She said if they receive more sponsorships it would enable them to reach more schools.