Our Approach
Empowering ourselves to empower others to empower their communities
Our service-learning philosophy is based on the spirit of Ubuntu. In English, Ubuntu can be understood in one simple phrase: people are people through other people. It is the belief that we are all one—one human race, one interconnected community. Our vision is to spread the spirit of Ubuntu through our programs, annual events, and recurrent local service-work. We believe that we can generate funds to fight hunger in South Africa through serving the needs of people in our own communities. Soup Moms of South Africa specifically partners with other local charities and non-profit organizations. It is a goal of SMOSA to spread Ubuntu as a way of life and teach what it means to be a global citizen. Doing our part as global citizens does not only include aiding those who are food insecure in South Africa, but doing our little bit of good every single day no matter where we are. The SMOSA team and all spirit and living a life for others.
Members of our organization across the United States are continually volunteering at local soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and developmental childcare centers. Soup Moms of South Africa specifically partners with other local charities and non-profit organizations. It is a goal of SMOSA to spread Ubuntu as a way of life and teach what it means to be a global citizen. Doing our part as global citizens does not only include aiding those who are food insecure in South Africa, but doing our little bit of good every single day no matter where we are. The SMOSA team and all of our volunteers are dedicated to honoring the Ubuntu spirit and living a life for others.
Mission
Our mission is to eliminate hunger and spread the spirit of “Ubuntu” by empowering the people of Sir Lowry’s Pass, South Africa through our nutritional health, vocational, and community development programs. Our desire is to further the work of the original Soup Moms by providing funds for meals, improving the quality of life, and building better futures for the children of their community.
Vision
Soup Moms of South Africa envisions a brighter future for Sir Lowry’s Pass—a thriving community of healthy children, productive parents, and trusted leaders through the daily practice of Ubuntu. When our vision for Sir Lowry’s Pass is realized, Ubuntu drives us to spread our model to other townships in South Africa and beyond.
What We Do
Soup Moms of South Africa (SMOSA) provides sufficient resources for a group of dedicated local leaders known the “The Soup Moms” to assure that every child receives at least one meal each day. Our organization does not only improve the health and quality of life for the children of Sir Lowry’s Pass, but our unique approach simultaneously creates self-sustaining solutions for poverty by providing employment opportunities for jobless mothers. SMOSA does not fight hunger alone. In a cooperative effort with the leaders of the community, we endeavor to bring lasting economic and systemic change. This unique approach works to unleash the pride, energy, and creativity of the Soup Moms and community of Sir Lowry’s Pass, S.A.
Raise sufficient funds to ensure that every child of the community receives at least five meals each week.
Establish a building project fund to construct a community care center equipped with a full-functioning kitchen, cafeteria, and health clinic.
Support the Soup Moms economically and collaboratively to establish themselves as a micro-business that:
-
is sustainable
-
can provide dependable employment to other women wishing to be Soup Moms
-
can network with other like-minded groups and organizations furthers the mission of the Soup Moms of South Africa organization
How it all began…
Although Soup Moms of South Africa is an organization grounded in the United States, the real Soup Moms are a group of devoted women who have spent their entire lives in the impoverished township of Sir Lowry’s Pass.
The Soup Moms
Some years ago, Ms. Cheryl, the original Soup Mom and woman every child loves and respects, started making soup for the youth of her community during the rare occasions she had the resources to do so. Through our support, other women have joined Ms. Cheryl and have established themselves as the Soup Moms. The Soup Moms are now providing nutritious meals for all of the children in their communities at least three times each week.
It is important to understand that Sir Lowry’s Pass might appear to be a squalor-ridden tragedy, but to the Soup Moms, it is their home; a place they love and want to save. It is only the goodness of their hearts and love for the people of their community that drives what they do. The Soup Moms represent what love, compassion, determination, and self-sacrifice can do to change a community.
