Loaves and Fishes Project

Marta was also instrumental in collecting enough money to add a room to the school.

In October of 2003, the development specialist with whom Marta stayed while in Port Elizabeth, Andrew Forbes, traveled to Seattle Andrew spoke at our church service, as did Rodric Peffer, the principal of a “colored” high school, Bethelsdorf High. They noted the conditions under which many students at both schools live – high unemployment (nearly 90% in Zwide), high death rates from AIDS, many homes constructed of cast-off materials, little food and a high illiteracy rate. Many families, hopeful for the future in post-apartheid South Africa, send their children to school with no lunch, as families must choose between tuition costs and food. Many of our church members were deeply touched by the plight of the hungry students.

Richmond Beach UCC Loaves and Fishes Brigade grew out of these experiences. We have established a sister church relationship with Mr. Peffer’s church, Springdale Congregational, working with them to raise money for nutritious lunches for the neediest students at Bethelsdorp and Emfundweni. We had an auction and raised over $5,500.00 toward this project.

Since 2003 we have continued to raise funds for the project and are pledging $5,000 per year as a congregation towards the feeding program at both schools. Hard working volunteers at each school work hard to stretch every dollar to feed the neediest students at each school, many of them AIDS orphans, living with grandparents who struggle to support and educate them.

One particularly touching story to come from this project was of the young teenager, who was saving her bread to take home to share with her mother to show her how fresh and good it was!

We request prayers for these students, our mission, and that other congregations might be moved to help us.