Being wheelchair-bound has not stopped a Bonteheuwel woman from pursuing her passion to help the less fortunate.
Carleen Jacobs has been in a wheelchair since she had a leg amputated in 2017 because of diabetes.
Growing up in Bonteheuwel and seeing children begging on the streets for food, she decided to do something to help them.
About 15 years ago, she rallied her friends and called in a few favours to have 300 Cape Flats children chauffeured around Cape Town in limousines.
The children were also each given a party packet and toiletry pack.
She takes on a new project every few months and works towards saving for that project.
“I can’t see a child go hungry. While I sit and have something to eat, you see children walking past begging, and that breaks my heart, so then I give them some bread as well.”
In her latest project, she handed out gift and toiletry packs to seniors at old age homes in Bonteheuwel.
Recently she also donated some party packets to the children in the Tygerberg Hospital cancer unit.
“I have grown up in Bonteheuwel and have seen the need in the community. When the children see me now they expect something from me.
“My children also help out with the projects and they are excited to take on the next one.
“I give them what I would give my own children to eat. Their parents are extremely grateful and so are they,” she said.
Bonteheuwel ward councillor, Angus Mckenzie, commended Ms Jacobs for her efforts.
“It’s people like Carleen who really give hope to communities like Bonteheuwel. It’s an absolute pleasure to give support to initiatives like these. Through her own difficulties she has managed to change many people’s lives and affect children positively.
“I really hope that we can all rally around people like Carleen so that she can continue to do the work she does,” he said.
To get involved, contact Carleen on 063 082 6531.