In May 2023, Feed The Hungry started operating in South Africa, in partnership with The Crown Church in Roodepoort, Johannesburg.
While South Africa has the biggest economy on the African continent, wealth distribution across the country is highly contrasted, with areas of extreme poverty beside areas of plenty. It’s reported to be the most unequal country in the world.
Food and Gospel
With the assistance of Feed The Hungry UK, FTH South Africa has the mission to share food and the Gospel with those who are struggling, through community transformation projects.
The first project was launched in a slum area called ‘Princess’ in Roodepoort. Princess is an extremely poor area; essentially a shanty town with little in the way of amenities and with high unemployment.
Working with The Crown Church, FTH South Africa has engaged local labourers to create a Community Crèche.
The work took about 3 weeks to complete and involved re-wiring a community centre, plastering and decorating. The crèche has helped to provide child care so that families can find work to earn an income.
As well as this, a bakery has been started, which provides employment and low-cost food for people in the community.
The project has already had a huge impact with 400 people in the locality coming to faith in Jesus.
Reaching Durban Deep
Following the success of the project in Princess, a feeding programme has been started in the area of ‘Durban Deep’ in Roodepoort. Currently, the programme only takes place once a month, but has already grown to over 500 children receiving a hot meal each time. The programme is served by a team of volunteers, who chat with the children and are able to share the message of God’s love for them.
In May 2024, Feed The Hungry South Africa celebrated its first year, and already has ambitious plans for the next. Working with local businesses, new opportunities are being explored to transform deprived communities in Johannesburg by providing training and vocational education.
It’s amazing to see how God is moving and bringing pieces of the jigsaw together to create positive change in South Africa.
Our Every Child, Every Day projects help feed children living in poverty, like those in South Africa, around the world.
