Ombili man serves hope, bowl by bowl

For two decades, Samuel Kapepo has run a soup kitchen at least three times a week – every Sunday, rain or shine – feeding more than 300 children, and opening more often when sponsorship allows.

What began as a grassroots effort to help street children has grown into a lifeline for Ombili’s most vulnerable: youngsters from broken homes and families struggling to make ends meet.

Kapepo is hard to miss. With a ready smile and a friendly wave, he greets the community he serves with quiet resolve. For many of Ombili's most vulnerable residents, he is more than a familiar face – he is a reassuring and dependable presence in uncertain lives.

“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 wry smile, he adds: “I may not be a chef, but nobody has complained yet, maybe because 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 just cannot take ARVs on an empty stomach,” he explains. “That’s why I make the extra effort.”

Street life shaped him

For more than 20 years, Kapepo has kept the soup kitchen running, even when he himself had no job.

He operates from a modest shared space at a local community centre, alongside a kindergarten and training facility. There, with a team of volunteers – mostly young people and mothers from the area – he prepares meals on Wednesdays, some Fridays and, without fail, on Sundays.

"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 children do not need to explain what the meals mean to them. They arrive laughing, bowls in hand, crowding around the serving pots. For at least one afternoon, hunger will not plague them.

Kapepo’s own story is rooted in hardship. Orphaned at a young age, he once lived on the streets himself – he intimately understands what street children face. He came to Windhoek hoping for opportunity but instead found himself navigating the harsh realities of street life in Katutura.

All hands on deck

Despite limited resources, Kapepo keeps the soup kitchen going, reaching out to international donors and organisations for support. Local backing has also been crucial. He speaks with gratitude about learners and staff from the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS), who dedicate their Sundays to helping.

“They do not just bring help, they bring energy, laughter and love,” Kapepo says.

The need, however, remains urgent. Kapepo is appealing to anyone who can help – donating clothing, food, shoes, or other essentials to keep the project going.

In a community where daily survival is a challenge for many, he continues to show up. As long as there are hungry mouths, Kapepo will be there, serving meals.