Newlands teen helps needy in Manenberg

Emma Rasmussen, 16, of Newlands, is running a sandwich drive and collecting beanies for the needy in Manenberg.

Emma started the Spread Love project in March during Lent with the St Michael’s Catholic Church parish in Rondebosch. She and her church made almost 3000 sandwiches, which were donated to the Salesian Institute in Green Point and the Manenberg Catholic Church.

Emma reignited the project with the church recently and asked for beanies to be knitted. “I am so happy that I can make a difference in the community,” she said.

On the last Sunday of every month, Emma and the parishioners meet at the church at 7pm to make sandwiches from bread and ingredients donated by the church community. Father Chiedza Chimhanda then delivers the sandwiches to Manenberg Catholic Church on the Monday so that they can feed children attending the church’s after-school programme.

On Monday July 1, Emma and Father Chimhanda delivered 204 beanies and 414 sandwiches to the church

“It is important to exercise love and care, and coming from a young person, it is a big learning experience for the adults to follow in this compassion for the next person,” said Father Chimhanda.

Father Bernard Makore, from the Manenberg Catholic Church, said: “They are bringing joy to our children and community in bringing much needed items.”

To support the project, call Emma’s mother, Carol Rasmussen, at 084 990 0244.