The Rokpa Soup kitchen was started in 1995 by residents and community members of Kagyu Samye Dzong Johannesburg in Kensington, which is one of the oldest suburbs of Johannesburg. Soup, peanut butter sandwiches and fruit are delivered to a stop in the inner city of Johannesburg once a week. The recipients are homeless people living on the streets, with a large number of immigrants from other African countries who have come to seek refuge in this City of Gold.
The soup and peanut butter sandwiches are prepared by a team of volunteers on a Tuesday morning.
The recipe used for the soup has been refined over the years, based on feedback from the recipients. Fresh vegetables, lentils, rice and soya are used with herbs and curry powder to make a nutritious, tasty and filling meal.
The soup and sandwiches are delivered on Tuesday evenings by volunteers to the people on the street.
Currently about 600 meals per month are served.
Occasionally other items such as Easter eggs, Christmas hampers, jerseys and other clothes are handed out. In winter months, blankets, both donated to, and supplied by Rokpa Gauteng, are handed out.
The soup kitchen is funded by individual donors, some of whom have been contributing since the start of the soup kitchen.
Rokpa International has also been very supportive over the years. We also have help from corporate donors.
If you would like to contribute in some way, or for more information, please contact our office on 011 614 1948 (weekday mornings) or email johannesburg@kagyu.org.za.