Upon meeting Ralph Bouwers, he immediately offers a hug and a friendly smile. It’s early in the morning, but the streets of Montague Village, Lavender Hill are filled with people. It’s no secret the area has for decades been marred by a high level of poverty and unemployment. It’s clear to see Bouwers is revered in his community.

Not many people can fathom why Bouwers, a 51-year-old who had a cushy job as an optician in England, UK came back to South Africa after 13 years abroad, with the aim of giving back to his community. He was offered a job in England in 2001, where he remained until 2014. It was then that he decided he could no longer live his life, knowing that youths are struggling in his impoverished community back in Lavender Hill.

This is 51-year-old Ralph Bouwer’s who works as a youth activist and charity worker in the gang-infested streets of Lavender Hill. He’s the man who traded an opulent lifestyle as an optician in the UK, to rather give back to Lavender Hill. Images and video by Lizell Persens pic.twitter.com/isox24adFG

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“I flew to Cape Town every year in December, to see the family, do charity work and distribute food parcels at Christmas time and help the old-age homes, and just to see where I could help with the pound being so strong. Every year, coming back, I’d see the green is gone and Lavender Hill became duller and duller. It was just sandpits and crosses on the corners of streets. Just death and chaos. So if you come from the outside, it’s easy for you to see what’s happening to the place. I felt the lushness and beauty was gone. It was just drugs and infestation.”

It was for this reason, that he decided to return home, where he still lives with his brother and his family. He admits he had the option of living anywhere in Cape Town, but chose to be in the area where he grew up.

Upon his return, he founded an NGO called The Lavender Hill Sports and Recreation Project. He also established a concept, Guardians of the National Treasure. In 2018, he launched the Lavender Hill Football Club, which consists of 300 members. On a weekly basis, he and his organization feeds an estimated 5 000 people with daily meals. In addition, he distributes hygiene packs and sanitary packs to young girls. He also makes it possible for youths to learn how to play chess and dominoes. He says this is all in a bid to focus the attention of these vulnerable teens and children elsewhere and to build on their skills.

“I could see the pain, because we’re all somehow related, because it’s a small community. Our bloodlines are very close. That’s why it’s more painful for me to see when someone in the road is hungry or suffering.”

Anyone who is able to donate funds or assist Ralph and his team can contact him at 078 629 3258 or ralphbouwers@gmail.com.