Foodbank @ Stormont Madubela Primary School

FoodBank South Africa (FoodBank) is an independent, credible NGO established in 2009 with the vision of “a South Africa without hunger and malnutrition.” Though relatively new to South Africa, food banking is practised in more than 40 countries worldwide and FoodBank is a member of the Global Foodbanking Network. FoodBank’s main focus so far is a Food Rescue Project. This sources huge volumes of food donated by many of the country’s leading food manufacturers and retailers. This food, much of which would otherwise have been wasted, is taken to the project’s food banks. There the food is sorted and donated to other community based organisations which serve the hungry. Read more about Foodbank here.

We joined Ciska from Foodbank for their Care2Carry project at Stormont Madubela Primary School in Cape Town. The children were given paper and paint to come up with a creative and positive painting which will be printed on Fruit & Veg shopping bags. Since Foodbank is all about filling hungry bellies, the participating children were given sandwiches and fruit before the fun started.

Read more about causes that are raising funds and doing good towards others in need, by visiting GivenGain.

23 photos in total.

South East Zanzibar

A visit to the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar is sure to treat you with a colorful bouquet of things to do and see. I spent a week in the south-east part of the island and only scratched the surface.

30 photos in total.

Crystal clear water, blue skies, sandy beaches and your own private water taxi. All the ingredients for a fantastic island getaway.

Zanzibar is well known for exporting carved wooden doors. Here a young boy carves shapes into a solid peice of wood using a hammer and chisel.

The finished product.

Low tide exposes a landscape of coral as far as the eye can see.

Children at the spice plantation.

A myriad of colourful spices and fruit can be found at the spice farms accross Zanzibar.

Nutmeg fresh from the tree.

Special 'soap berries' can be used to wash your hands. Simply add water, and rub them together.

South East Zanzibar

South East Zanzibar

The ceiling of the bath house at the highest point in Zanzibar - only about 120m above sea level.

South East Zanzibar

Local girls picking up shellfish during low tide. The ocean provides a large part of Zanzibar's food and every opportunity is used to gather what is available.

A mangrove forest exposing its roots during low tide.

A Kite spider in the Jozani forest.

Ants engulf an insect on the forest floor.

Red Colobus monkeys, unique to the island of Zanzibar, take some time to groom each other. These monkeys are very playful and comfortable around people, although never getting close enough to make physical contact.

Red Colobus monkeys only have 4 fingers on their hands, and no opposable thumb.

South East Zanzibar, Jozani Forset.

South East Zanzibar.

A Hermit crab cautiously emerges from its home.

During a day trip to one of the small uninhabited islands, we were treated with an incredible spread of food, including lobster, prawns, coconuts, fruit salad etc. All prepared without any electricity and very few utensils, right there in the wild.

Uninhabited islands like these dot the Zanzibar coastline.

South East Zanzibar.

Early morning view from the guest lodge we visited - Kilima Kidogo.

Local taxis, called 'Dhala Dhalas' are a cheap way to get around Zanzibar. That's if you don't mind a tight squeeze. These taxis are often completely overloaded with people hanging off the sides and back. The roof is also utilized for storage and sometimes almost doubles the height of the taxi.

In Zanzibar there's a different approach to fueling up. A quick chat with the attendant and we're off without paying a cent. Apparently you pay next time, or 'when you have money'.

South East Zanzibar.

South East Zanzibar.

South East Zanzibar.

A day in the life of Prochorus

I recently had the opportunity to take some photos of a day in the life of Prochorus , a non profit organization operating out of Kayamandi, a township on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. Since 1996 they have empowered, trained, and developed skills of children and adults, and continues to do so today. Read more about causes that are raising funds and doing good towards others in need, by visiting GivenGain.

For any enquiries contact me at ewald@givengain.com

Special thanks to Kathryn Fourie for helping with the captions.

27 photos in total.

Friendly smile from the birthday boy at one of the crèches functioning in Kayamandi.

As always, a new face makes for something interesting to follow. A toddler follows us around at the Prochorus office, gripping his packet of Frito treasure.

There are a large number of unemployed adults living in Kayamandi. Prochorus provides them with a basic aptitude test to develop their skills and assists them in getting the required paperwork for job applications.

The scratch of roller-balls on application forms, a sound that job-seekers get used to when utilising the Prochorus job-search program.

Even in the harshest of living environments, new life is created. A baby’s shirt hangs off a make-shift washing line in Kayamandi.

Children singing Nkosi sikelel' iafrika, perhaps the most appropriate voices to sing ‘God Bless Africa’

All around the world we wash our clothes, a sign of pride and self-respect. Clothes dry in Kayamandi.

Drumming, an ancient musical feat that appeals to almost anyone, but especially to children. Being allowed to make a big noise is a joyful experience!

Children taking part in a drum circle at one of the crèches.

Friends hold hands, a touch of support.

Kayamandi is home to thousands of underprivileged children and many crèches exist in the township run by dedicated women.

Potatoes sold street vendor style in Kayamandi, the starchy staple food sold all around the world.

When lacking a washing line, an abandoned building will do.

One of the many hair salons operating out of an old cargo container. Some might call it retro cool, others might call it necessity.

A mother of Kayamandi.

In every township, shebeens will flourish.

Due to limited space, most shebeens extend from a person’s kitchen or bedroom. Whatever pays the bills.

A Kayamandi cat looking comfortable on a bucket perch.

Siyakhula crèche.

A child displays a stern grip on a pencil. Learning to read and write at one of the crèches.

A heart, the universal symbol of love. Children learn to draw at one of the crèches.

“Uh, why are you looking at my work?” A child looks concerned at the cameras invasion during homework time.

One of the many dedicated teachers educating children in Kayamandi.

A classroom of colour and proper little characters, Kayamandi.

Wide-eyed innocence in a young child, reaffirming the need for child protection in townships like Kayamandi.

A child looks out from the door of a crèche for children with disabilities. Here children with autism, physical and mental disabilities are cared for.

Children with autism, mental and physical disabilities enjoy a music class in this small crèche.