Article by Frieda Mufuka
In the heart of Havana, where daily struggles are often compounded by poverty and hardship, one woman has chosen to respond with love, faith, and action. Ms. Martha Festus, the founder of Ebenezer Kitchen, started her journey with a single pot and seven children during the Covid-19 lockdown. What began as an act of compassion has since grown into a lifeline for hundreds in the community.
“I grew up in the informal settlements, so I know first-hand the struggles people face,” she recalls. “When lockdown hit, things got worse. Even though I didn’t have much, I was in a better position than most, so I decided to share what I had at least with the children.”
That small beginning has now grown into an initiative that feeds about 600 children and elders on busy days. A typical day at the kitchen starts quietly in the early hours with meal preparation. As the day unfolds, children gather for games, educational sessions and hygiene care. This is very important, given the community that we find ourselves in. Before meals are served, everyone lines up for a prayer, grounding the work in both community and faith.
It’s important to note that Ebenezer Kitchen is about more than food. The children are taught values of kindness, compassion and humanity. There are mentorship sessions that cover academics, hygiene education and lifestyle choices. “We want them to understand that they are capable, that they matter,” she says. This is important because it helps to instill values in these children that they can carry with them through life. Most of us in the communities hardly have a space where we are motivated. Ebenezer Kitchen is that for this generation of young children.
Recognising the importance of early learning, the kitchen also runs a kindergarten, giving children in the settlement access to affordable education alongside nutritious meals. “Many parents can’t afford the fees for kindergarten,” she explains. “This gives them some relief, while ensuring children get both education and food security.” The results are already visible as we see the children are doing better academically, and families are beginning to prioritise early childhood education.
Ebenezer Kitchen also tackles an issue too often ignored: menstrual health. Through the ‘Keep a Girl in School’ programme, the team distributes sanitary products and creates awareness around menstrual hygiene. Without this support, many girls resort to unhygienic alternatives like using rags or toilet paper, often staying home from school during their periods. “We want them to remain in school, confident and healthy,” she says. One of her most moving moments was when a young boy came to ask for sanitary products for his mother. “It showed me that the taboos around menstruation can be broken, and that this is not just a woman’s problem, it’s a societal concern.”
The work has not stopped at feeding and education. When fires or other disasters strike in Havana, Ebenezer Kitchen steps in. Strength, she says, comes from her family, her faith and a network of supportive friends. Social media has also played a big role, connecting her with Namibians willing to help. “Community support reminds us of Umuntu gumbuntu gabantu —I am because you are. We rebuild faster when we are united.”
Of course, the journey comes with sacrifices. It can be exhausting, physically and mentally. But Martha finds strength in prayer, in resting and resetting and in remembering why she started. Her message to Namibians is clear: “You are enough. Start where you are, with what you have. Where you come from does not define you, and it should never limit you.”
Looking ahead, her dream is to expand Ebenezer Kitchen so that children can be fed every day, not only on Saturdays. She hopes more organisations and individuals will come on board to support this vision.
For her, the work can be summed up in one sentence: “It’s not how much you give, it’s the love you put into giving.”
If you would like to donate to Ebenezer Kitchen, you can reach out to them on 0814464895.
