Kapepo serves hope with every bowl
What started as a small initiative to help street children has grown into a vital community service, reaching vulnerable children from broken homes and families struggling to make ends meet.
Samuel Kapepo is hard to miss. With a smile and a friendly wave for community members, he greets the people he has come to serve with dedication. For many of Ombili’s most vulnerable residents, especially children, Kapepo is more than just a familiar face - he is a lifeline.
“Some of these children only eat once a day or have nothing else to eat during the week,” Kapepo says. “If I can give them even one extra meal, it most definitely makes a difference.”
With a touch of humour, he adds, “I may not be a chef, but nobody has complained yet, and they come back every time!”
Kapepo’s compassion goes beyond simply filling empty stomachs. Understanding the realities of those living with HIV, he also provides food parcels to community members on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. “You cannot just take ARVs on an empty stomach,” he explains. “That’s why I make the extra effort.”
For more than 20 years, Kapepo has kept the soup kitchen running, even while unemployed himself. Operating from a small shared space at a local community centre, alongside a kindergarten and training facility, he works with a team of volunteers, mostly young people and mothers from the area, to prepare meals on Wednesdays, some Fridays, and Sundays.
Serving food on Sundays is especially important to him. “It’s very rare that you will see them have a decent meal on a Sunday. That’s why I do not skip Sundays,” he says.
The joy on the children’s faces tells the story better than words ever could. Laughter fills the air as they gather, bowls in hand, knowing that for at least one day, hunger will not be their companion.
Kapepo’s journey, however, has not always been one of hope. As an orphan who once lived on the streets, he understands the struggles these children face. Coming to Windhoek in search of a better life, he instead found himself caught up in the harsh realities of street life in Katutura.
Despite limited resources, Kapepo continues to push forward, even reaching out to international donors and organisations for support. Assistance from the community has been vital. He expresses heartfelt gratitude to learners and staff from the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS), who dedicate their Sundays to assisting with the initiative.
“They do not just bring help, they bring energy, laughter and love,” Kapepo says.
Still, the need remains great. Kapepo is calling on good Samaritans to contribute clothing, uncooked food, shoes, or any assistance that can help sustain the project.
In a community where many face daily struggles, as long as there are hungry mouths to feed, Kapepo will be there, serving meals.
