Empowering Youth in S. Africa - Marias Restaurant

At long last, Maria's Kitchen is up and running at the construction site!  The worker's are enjoying the food and Maria is proud and happier than she's been since she lost her job due to Covic 19.

Challenges remain.  At this time, a car must be hired to take the Kitchen on site and gas purchased to cook with.  And, of course, like everywhere else, the cost of Petrol is going UP.   With minimum funds, Maria can only buy small amounts of food daily from surrounding shops to cook and sell.  Thus, there have been no profits yet.  But there is progress and therefore, HOPE.

Your continued support will be used to secure their own transport for the Kitchen, buy petrol and purchase a deep freezer to be able to buy larger quantities of food at a better price.  Next on the wish list is purchasing an awning to provide shade and tables/chairs to accomodate more diners.   Last, but certainly not least, having a gas refrigerator will allow them to offer cold drinks for sale.  And, eventually hire more employees as the business grows.  

Without your support, Maria's Kitchen would not be a reality today.  Maria is extremely grateful for youy generosity. You have and will  continue to have a VERY positive influence on her life! 

Hi Donors and supporters, 

I like to share an update from the mobile food kitchen directly from Maria: 

"

Hi my dear I hope you are doing well, I like to give you a report of out Mobil Kitchen at the Construction. We are doing well, Castomers are getting use to our food, the Contract workers are getting more, we did not start paying any body yet as the Petrol is high and very expensive.

We still struggle to find a way to get the Mobil Kitchen to the side every day. We are renting a car to pool to and from work."

Other Charlenges are we don't have a Gas freedge and people demand Coldrinks and to keep more of the food so that they remain fresh.

We need to pay for the lisence and get the health Sertificate so that we don't get to be charged or get fine when the Metro polis come.

We are still in need of more things that will help our business to run smoothly.

We thank you very much for your opportunity that you Created for us. My Doughters Rebecca and Ausi are the once cooking there. 2 of the bigger boys are working also there to deliver the food to the Contractors and working as the runners of the business.

We really enjoy our kitchen it will do very well once everything can be in order, May God richly bless you my dearest friend

also see pictures of their work! 

The situation for Maria and her children is dire. Due to covid 19, the area remains in lockdown which has hindered the  construction company that was going to use Maria's restaurant from starting their project.  Maria writes:" Everything is on stand still.....the luting (looting) is happening around us, we struggle to buy food.  ....It is stress we can't even buy bread around here."  

The last of your kind donations was used to buy food for the children.  Maria also paid for the kid's school transport and bought the little ones tracksuits to keep them warm in the mornings as they go to school.

I think you'll agree this money was well spent.  Your donations are truly appreciated and needed now more than ever!   Please continue to support Maria's project....the restaurant...and the children.  Thank you. 

Links:

• Level Of Covid in S. Africa

Hi All,

We all want to thank you for your donations and support. We had another round of match funds that started March 8th!

We also got an update from Maria, she has begun selling food at schools. She is in the process of fixing everything else she needs to now go to the roads to sell food.

If youre able to- keep spreading the word, sharing this fundraiser and donating.

God Bless you-

By the way- We are expanding this project to the Phillipine, stay tuned for that separate project. 

We have a partner within Airline Ambassadors via Cheryl Robinson and food entrepreneurs there are interested in Jhoannys help. We will soon have a separate fundraiser in GlobalGiving for that country. 

Thank you again for your generosity. Thanks to you we are giving people opportunities and hope. 

Best, 

Jhoanny