Last month, Matt, Li-andi and the team were thrilled to welcome Chelsea Ogilvie from News24 to SOS Africa’s Gordon’s Bay Education Centre. The purpose of her visit was to showcase the charity’s exciting new nutritional programme, courtesy of Claudia Titley and Chef Jesca Murombedzi.
After a tour of the Education Centre, Chelsea spent time interviewing the pioneers of the charity’s nutritional programme to gain an insight into why the organisation places such importance on the role played by nutrition when breaking the cycle of poverty.
“In my family food is a love language. Yes, the love of consuming it but, more so the love of where and how it came to be. From how lovingly it was grown to the care taken during its preparation. With each mouthful that love is also consumed. When it comes to setting up the SOS Africa Kitchen, the same ethos is applied; from where and how we source our ingredients to the love and dedication Chef Jesca puts into preparing and cooking them. These meals transform the health of our children’s bodies and minds.” (Claudia Titley, SOS Africa Nutritionist)
Chelsea also filmed Chef Jesca in action, as she prepared a feast in time for the arrival of the SOS Africa children, hungry after a busy morning at the schools they are sponsored to attend across the Helderberg Basin. With great excitement, it wasn’t long before they were tucking into the delicious lunch, savouring every bite. A mission accomplished for Chef Jesca, as even those children who initially declared their dislike of vegetables, now savour them without complaint:
“It is very important for the children to have vegetables… Although sometimes the kids don’t like vegetables, I often blend them so them so that they do not know what is in the meal.” (Jesca Murombedzi, SOS Africa Chef)
After every last morsel of the feast had been gratefully consumed, Chelsea turned the focus to the holistic care provided by the charity to each of the children in its care and what this support means to them. And, as is usually the case, the ever charismatic and vibrant SOS Africa children quickly became the stars of the show with the most flamboyant of all, Karabo taking centre stage:
“Without SOS Africa, I wouldn’t be where I am today; they’re the ones who motivate us. They give us hope that we can become what we want one day.” (Karabo Thunzi, SOS Africa Sponsored Student)
Since her visit, the SOS Africa Staff and Children have all been waiting with great anticipation for the release of Chelsea’s video, and when the time came, it did not disappoint! When you have a moment, why not see for yourself… WATCH VIDEO HERE.
