For 82 children at Lavhelesani Drop-In Centre on the outskirts of Thohoyandou, Venda, meals come on a rotation; some days they eat, other days they go to bed hungry. This harsh reality moved the Adventist World Radio SIDmedia team to action during their recent Godpods and Bible distribution mission to Limpopo.

Located in rural Venda, the drop-in centre has weathered its own storms. Established in 2002, it closed due to a lack of funding and support, operating solely on a volunteer basis. In 2019, the Chief of Lavhelesani recognised the growing need as countless children required the centre’s services, and operations resumed with five dedicated volunteers who teach life skills, assist with homework, and provide what meals they can manage.

When the AWR SIDmedia team learned about the centre during their planning for Godpod and Bible distribution in Thohoyandou, they knew they had to help.

The team reached out to staff at the Southern-Indian Ocean Division and launched social media campaigns to gather support. The response was overwhelming. With the funds raised, they purchased comprehensive hygiene packs containing lotions, bar soaps, roll-on deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and much-needed sanitary pads for the older girls.

The donations didn’t stop there. Understanding the food insecurity these children face daily, the team also brought non-perishable food items to supplement the centre’s limited meal program. Responding to specific requests from the centre, they also provided soccer and netball for recreation and whiteboards to help with homework assistance.

The day of the visit became a celebration. AWR SIDmedia team members, joined by volunteers from Tshaulu Seventh-day Adventist Church, shared a meal with the children, encouraged and prayed for them before presenting the donated items. The gratitude was immediate and overwhelming.

The chief of Tshifudi, Chief Thivhudzimunwe Mashau, personally thanked the team, emphasising how much every donation means to the centre. “Some of these children have no parents; two weeks ago, we just buried the parents of two children who will now rely on the centre”, he explained. “This support gives them hope”. The AWR SIDmedia team gifted the chief a bible and showed him how to use the Godpod.

The centre still faces significant challenges. When it rains, the current building cannot accommodate all 82 children, and the need for expanded facilities remains urgent. However, parents and volunteers alike praised God for the provisions, seeing the visit as an answer to their prayers.

For the AWR team, the visit reinforced their mission beyond just distributing Bibles; it’s about caring for the whole person, body and spirit, especially the most vulnerable among us.