Havana soup kitchen hosts fun day for nearly 1 000 children

The Eben-Ezer Soup Kitchen, known to feed around 400 children every Saturday, hosted a special charity fun day on 19 July, with nearly 1 000 children showing up.

The day also featured various activities like face painting, music, dancing, games for all ages, live performances by Yeezir and DJ Kandy, as well as meals prepared by volunteers.

Eben-Ezer Soup Kitchen founder and organiser Martha Festus at the event said she was grateful for the support the organisation received, as well as for the number of people that showed up to volunteer.

“What we witnessed was nothing short of a miracle. Our community came out in numbers, not just to have fun, but to serve, give, and remind these children that they matter. This day was more than a fun event, it was a celebration of unity and shared purpose,” she said.

Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti, who attended the event, said: “For me, giving back is about doing something without expecting anything in return. We need to cultivate a spirit of selflessness, doing good simply because it’s the right thing to do, not because there’s something in it for us.”

Volunteers, families, and local businesses worked together to support the event by donating food, drinks, snacks, tents, and games.

Volunteer Ndamona Teofelus said she was happy to help out.

“Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces and how much fun they were having really made my day,” she said.

Another volunteer, Christine Festus, said: “It was amazing to see how happy and excited the children were. I’m really proud to have been part of it.”

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