The first project really started after going through a tough time with Jenny
(more about Jenny? - ).
Seeing her struggle with having to wear adult diapers broke something open in me. I thought - if Jenny, with some support, was having such a hard time, what about the women living on the streets with no help at all?
So, we went out to the streets and started talking to the women there. What struck me deeply was that some of them couldn’t even come forward to receive the food parcels we had brought. When we asked why, they told us they were on their periods but had no access to pads. They couldn’t walk around because they were bleeding through their clothes. It was heartbreaking.
That moment moved us to act. We went out, bought sanitary pads, and brought them back to donate to these women. That was the beginning of one of our first projects at the Chetaldo Foundation.
We didn't stop there. We also sent pads to schoolgirls in rural Zimbabwe - girls growing up in deep poverty, facing the same struggles. It was a simple gesture, but it brought them dignity and allowed them to attend school without shame.
We saw firsthand how much people living on the streets were suffering - especially during the cold winter days. Many of them were sleeping outside without even a blanket to cover themselves - literally freezing through the night. It was heartbreaking to witness. That’s when we decided to start a blanket project. We reached out to people, asking for donations of blankets - but unfortunately, the response was limited. So, as the founder, I made the decision to self-fund the project. I went out and bought 30 blankets myself. But we didn’t just hand out blankets - we turned it into a meaningful act of care. With each blanket, we also gave them two sandwiches with ham and cheese, and a bottle of fresh, clean water. Because at the end of the day, every woman, every man, every person deserves access to clean water, warmth, and dignity. The drive was a success. They were happy and grateful - you could see it in their eyes and their smiles. But for us, this is just the beginning. Our vision is to one day welcome them into the Chetaldo Foundation Center - a place where they can feel safe, stay warm, and receive proper meals, clean water, and - most importantly - a chance to heal and rebuild their lives.
A woman reached out to me on Facebook, telling me about her grandfather - nearly 90 years old, and in very poor condition. He had no adult diapers and was suffering from painful sores. The family was struggling to care for him. We drove to Crime Fountain to see him - our very first home visit. When we arrived, it was clear he hadn’t been properly fed or cared for, simply because his family didn’t know how. They lacked the knowledge to prepare soft meals or manage his hygiene needs. We brought 50 adult diapers, some food, and helped bathe him. That’s when we saw the severity of his sores. It was heartbreaking - but it also made us realize how many families are silently going through the same thing. This visit inspired us to launch a Home Visits Project under the Chetaldo Foundation - to support and educate families caring for elderly loved ones in poor conditions. Sadly, the grandfather passed away just days later due to severe malnutrition. His story now drives our mission - to help others before it’s too late.
On The Streets is one of Chetaldo Foundation’s most heartfelt and exciting outreach projects. Through this initiative, we take to the streets to connect with those who are homeless - offering them more than just food, but dignity, compassion, and hope. We provide warm meals, sandwiches, coffee, and clean water, while engaging in meaningful conversations to understand their health, needs, and personal stories. These encounters have opened our eyes to a greater need, inspiring us to create the Chetaudu Foundation Center - a 24-hour facility with a soup kitchen and shelter. Our vision is to not only provide a safe space but to also rehabilitate, skill, and reintegrate individuals back into society through meaningful employment opportunities. On The Streets is just the beginning of a journey toward lasting change, one life at a time.
