Sometimes it only takes a tree to give hope to the needy and the poor. The tree stands in an open space in the Grysblok area between Khomasdal and Katutura. Hungry children, old people, disabled men and jobless youngsters gather every Wednesday morning under the tree to pray, listen to encouraging words from ‘’Tannie Lizzie" and to receive a warm meal afterwards. The children are served first, then the women, followed by the men. Dishing out the hearty goulash takes place in an orderly fashion, but after barely ten minutes, the huge pot is already empty.

Mrs Elizabeth de Vos is a DTA councillor in the Windhoek city council. The middle-aged woman is a devout Christian and she practices what she preaches: everyone should do something, never mind how small, to help those who suffer and are weak. The suffering of the poor and needy people in the Windhoek suburbs became just too much for her one day. But what to do and where to start?

"I suddenly got this idea to start a soup kitchen. Some of the food I get from friendly shop managers. Fruit and vegetables that do not look that attractive anymore, but are still edible, I collect in my bakkie together with my daughter Lisa," she told PLUS on Wednesday morning.

Among those who are fed, are children of school going age. One woman, who helps dishing out, is able to pay for her child’s school fees by doing cleaning and washing at that school. An old man with a walking stick now works in somebody’s garden for N$ 20 a shift plus a meal, thanks to Mrs de Vos. Another person now sells copies of a magazine for the homeless and earns an income.

Mrs de Vos, or Tannie Lizzie, as she is fondly called by the approximately 50 to 60 people she serves a meal under the large tree, has another soup kitchen in Otjomuise.

According to her, people should get more active, helping neighbours and needy people in their street of residence.

"We are so grateful that Tannie Lizzie is looking after us" one elderly woman said after receiving the meal, "she knows our needs and really tries to help."

The outspoken councillor does all her work single-handedly, without the help of any organisation.

"My daughter and I collect donations, like clothes and food, listen to the peoples’ needs when we visit them or meet them under this tree. It would help a lot, if more food and clothes could be donated so that I can extend the soup kitchen," she says. Her phone number is 0811-283 081. One person can make a difference!