This Plumstead girl has risen above the traumatic loss of her best friend by working on launching her own non-profit organisation to help teens in need.
At just 17 years old, Chaye Almacin has been running her own feeding scheme for nearly a year now.
With the help of her family, she manages to feed hundreds of homeless people twice a week and supports the homes of needy teens in Cape Town.
Last year Chaye’s best friend, Kyle Laguma, 18, suffered from heart failure, and sadly died in November while waiting for a transplant.
“I saw how he could not live the life of a normal teenager and realised there are many more people out there who find themselves in bad situations that need love and support and so I started using my pocket money and money I got on my birthdays and started buying ingredients to cook meals,” she says.
Each week, the Grade 11 pupil from Norman Henshilwood High School, collects donations and convinces her dad Malcolm, 55, to cook up a warm pot of food, which she then hands out to homeless people in Plumstead and surrounding areas.
“I was inspired by my parents Malcolm and Wendy, who for years have been doing what they can to help destitute families,” says Chaye.
“My father does most of the cooking while my mother, myself and my young sister, Jayde, help with peeling potatoes and so on.”
Recently, Chaye reached out to Brian Diamond,17, from Heinz Park after reading his story in the Daily Voice about being left brain damaged by a gang bullet.
“We went to help with some of the things he needs daily and that was a humbling experience. Teens like Brian are who I would really like to help with the organisation,” says Chaye.
She’s now working on launching her own NPO called the Incsapho Teen Movement.
“Myself and Jayde are spearheading it because I really feel it is God’s calling,” says Chaye.
“My aim is to have an organisation where teens can come for support but also where we can inspire teens who are a bit more privileged to reach out to others and lend a helping hand where they can.
“I am looking for someone who can help me to have the organisation registered, set up a website and teach us how to fund raise.”
If you would like to help, email [email protected].