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0 viewsThere is a woman who lives in Nomzamo Township who is the epitome of sacrifice. Dubbed ‘The Wheelbarrow Saint’, Mama Lumka started out rescuing disabled, unwanted children in a wheelbarrow. Her humble ways have made her a figurehead in the local community.
Mama Lumka recalls a time when she started out in educare with no facilities. She would knock on doors asking for food to feed 18 hungry children, six of which she collected with wheelbarrows. Today Mama Lumka has two crèches, one of which is an educare sanctuary for 52 neglected, disabled and orphaned children.
“I want to go deeper,” Mama Lumka says. Her determination to further help those who cannot help themselves is evident in the expansion of the sanctuary’s new bakery, for which she obtained sponsorship. The bakery, together with the lush, sustainable garden is evidence of her drive to create a self-sustaining environment for the children, employees and volunteers.
Mama Lumka’s sanctuary has been blessed to receive volunteers from all around the world to help out with the children. GVI, Global Vision International, work as volunteers teaching the children important skills. They also conduct massage therapy and physiotherapy techniques on those children who are disabled. Mama Lumka holds the GVI volunteers in high esteem believing they were sent to help her from the man above.
Tears formed in Mama Lumka’s eyes when asked if any locals volunteer. “No…[but] if youth are busy they won’t commit crimes…they must ask for information [on how to help] while I’m alive”. Mama Lumka is concerned about who will pass on this love for neglected children and who will run the crèche when she is no longer around. She urges the youth to “come out and do what we do”.
Mama Lumka’s crèches have been successful despite the constant need for sponsorship to feed and clothe all the children. And her vision doesn’t stop there. She wants to expand the crèches and potentially obtain more land to accommodate even more children. Mama Lumka has the full backing of the community who trust her with their children because of all she has done.
What inspired Mama Lumka to set out on this difficult challenge that would shape not only her life, but also the lives of hundreds of others around her? “I didn’t do it for money – only for love”, she says impulsively. Perhaps it’s because her own her son who was also disabled died at a very young age . She later adopted Edward, a severely disabled child whose parents rejected him.
Her favourite quote, stuck up on the wall of her prefabricated office, lingered long after this interview: “Success is in your feet – you have to walk until you find it”.
Contact Mama Lumka on +27824378998 or email her on mamalumka@telkomsa.net.
Alternatively visit www.mamalumka.org.za for more information on how you can get involved.