Two pensioners from Grassy Park, Heather (67) and Kenneth Felix (72) are proving what it means to be Good Samaritans. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple are feeding more than 800 less fortunate people weekly.
They are able to do so with the help of two NGOs; Ray of Love and Invisible Hands. The areas where they assist includes Kampies, Phillippi, Lavender Hill and more. In addition, up to 30 people knock on their door daily to request food.
🟡 We are visiting Heather (67) & Kenneth Felix (72), in Grassy Park. Every week, the couple feeds more than 800 of the less fortunate people in various informal settlements. #smile904fmnews
📷📹: Lizell Persens pic.twitter.com/DAGOXCx978— Smile90.4 FM (@Smile904FM) August 2, 2024
Upon entering their humble home, one is greeted by dozens of meals, clothing hampers and sanitary care packs. The elderly pair has four children, and they have been married for the past 49 years. The first image at their entrance is an image of Kenneth and Nelson Mandela – the father of democracy and a man who exemplified the spirit of Ubuntu.
READ MORE: CPT man trades the UK to feed the hungry in Lavender Hill
The duo are now working as community pastors. Bin Pickers Ministries was launched before the lockdown hit, after they found a hungry woman digging in their bin for food.
“It is important for us to know what is happening out there. We cannot just preach. We must put our words into action,” explained Kenneth.
Kenneth grew up as one of 13 children and he adds that he knows that it means to go without food and other essentials.
“With the amount of children my parents had, you can only imagine the amount of feeding that needs to be done. My parents were not educated. We were poor. So poor that even the poor called us poor, so I know how it feels.” added Kenneth.
Heather – on the other hand – grew up without ever lacking anything. She credits her love for God and her maternal instincts for the work she does:
“As a mother, you know how it feels when you don’t have and your child asks you for a slice of bread. I have worked with people and I could see how those people were struggling. They give their last slice of bread for the child to take to school and they come with nothing so I would provide and buy a loaf of bread every day,” said the former marketing manager.
The duo has encouraged others out there to share and help the less fortunate when they have the opportunity to do so.
