Sisters take plight of poor to heart

GIVING to the less fortunate has been a part of the routine of Chaye Almacin, 17, and her sister, Jayde, 15, ever since they were children.

Now that the sisters have grown up, they have started the Intsapho Teen Movement to help more people in and around Cape Town, rather than just their own community.

The teen movement is largely relying on the generosity and commitment of family members and friends who contribute to the cause. The sisters strive to reach out to needy teenagers around Cape Town to supply them with clothing, stationery and food.

With Chaye in matric and Jayde in Grade 10, Chaye explained how they balance their studies and giving to the community.

“Being committed to the movement and trying to keep up with school work can be challenging. It was easy last year during the lockdown because I had lots of time to prepare the vegetables and ingredients for the meals we were cooking, but now my attention has to switch to school work, and school work demands most of your attention.

“I’d come home from school, have tons of homework and studies, and still work on what the movement is doing on this day. Mom and dad are a great help, as they will prepare the 115-litre pot of food when they know Jayde and I have studies or homework.

“Even though we work on a schedule, we’ll help prepare the food the night before the day of distribution, so our parents don’t have much work the next day,” said Chaye.

Younger sister Jayde, she said being one of the founding members of the Intsapho Teen Movement is one of her greatest achievements.

“What motivates me each day is how happy the children are when they receive a plate of food. It really warms my heart.”

“I feel blessed, grateful and satisfied after every meal distribution, just to be able to give someone else a meal is a privilege. Not many people have the privileges of a warm bed, a roof over their head and warm shoes and clothing, or a cooked meal every day.

“It warms my heart to be able to

help someone in need as these are the people who face struggles on a day-to-day basis, struggles that require assistance from individuals who can help,” said Jayde.

Member of the Steurhof Community, Lowena Carolus, admired the efforts the two make in helping people.

“Chaye and Jayde are two phenomenal strong young women, with great caring hearts for those less fortunate. The foundation was laid by their parents as young girls. They would go out with their parents and experience what their parents do by feeding the poor and giving to the less fortunate.”

“Today we see their harvest in their two beautiful daughters. We wish there were more young people out there like them. Our younger generation needs these types of values instilled in them,” said Carolus.

Being humbled by their multiple encounters in various communities in and around Cape Town, Chaye and Jayde wish to reach out to businesses, families and friends to help with funding for their upcoming initiatives.

“The goal is to create a movement where other teenagers will get help, even though it is just moral support, that is fine. We want to inspire anyone who is more fortunate or privileged to reach out to those less fortunate.”