Your stories: S.A.L.T. ministry in South Africa

Our community outreach ministry is called S.A.L.T. (Sharing Abundant Life Together). Three years ago, we approached our local health department and asked how we could assist with the growing HIV/AIDS problem in our local community. The nursing sisters told us stories of mothers with babies, where the mother is infected and she cannot work, therefore both her and the baby suffer from malnutrition. As you know, antiretroviral only works if you are looking after your nutrition too!

We investigated what to put into a food parcel that would sustain a mother and her baby for a week. We started by supplying 20 bags per month to a clinic in our area that saw these mothers on a weekly basis. … We now supply 350 bags a month, not only to mothers but we have included all patients that the clinic feels need the assistance. Once again, it is only available to patients on antiretroviral medication. We supply three clinics and eventually want to spread out to more.

In order for the project to grow, we realize that we cannot keep it a “church” project and have taken it out into the community of Table View. On Saturdays, we ask shoppers as they go in to do their shopping at the mall to assist by buying one or two of the supplies needed in the parcel. We have had great success – and found that people generally want to help; they just need to be assured that the right people get the help and it’s not being abused.

My favorite part of this story is the parcel itself. It’s called a L.I.G.H.T. bag (Living in Grace Hope, and Thankfulness) and on the bag is a cross with “In the Name of Christ” written on it. There is no doubt when the patient receives that food parcel who it’s from. And in this way we can tell them that there is hope in Jesus Christ!

Pauline De Klerk
S.A.L.T. project coordinator
Assembly of God Church, Table View
Cape Town, South Africa