LISA BECKER
For the past five years, one grade 7 teacher at Stirling Primary has quietly been shaping hearts as much as young minds.
Donne’ Cadle is the driving force behind the school’s Jars of Hope initiative, which is feeding thousands and teaching pupils that compassion begins with action.
Cadle’s journey began in 2013 when she became acutely aware of the growing needs in communities across East London.
Determined to respond in a meaningful way, she sought a practical project that would not only meet real needs but also inspire pupils to become actively involved in serving others.
Five years ago, a colleague mentioned that her church was supporting impoverished communities through a simple but powerful initiative called Jars of Hope. It was, Cadle says, the perfect fit for Stirling’s We Care programme.
“The ingredients are quite easy to access,” she said. “One jar can feed a family of four.”
Each container, whether a coffee jar, plastic tub or even a sturdy plastic bag is filled with basic, affordable staples: rice, lentils, stock cubes and soup mix.
The simplicity is part of its strength. With just a few items, families are able to prepare nourishing meals that stretch further than one might expect.
Fifteen grade 7 pupils are selected annually to lead the We Care programme. The selection process is no small task.
“It’s heartbreaking to choose only a few from over 40 motivational letters we receive,” Cadle said
But leadership comes with responsibility. The chosen pupils meet weekly after school and even sacrifice break times to coordinate collections and distribution.
Importantly, Cadle encourages personal investment. “I also want the children to give of their own savings,” she said.
“I tell parents: make sure your child feels it, that they are giving up something to give to others.”
Each class at the school is assigned a specific week to fill jars, and between 100 and 150 containers are collected and distributed during each cycle.
The impact is far-reaching. Marion Peake, founder of Helping Those in Need, oversees 11 soup kitchens across Buffalo City and says the contributions are invaluable.
About 2,400 children are fed every week through various feeding programmes under her care.
Cadle fondly quotes Peake’s words: “Three hundred bowls of hope come running for a meal made from Jars of Hope.”
It is a vivid image, children lining up, not just for food, but for dignity and care. The spirit of giving has also attracted support from the business community.
Deidre Nxumalo-Freeman of DNF Waste and Environmental Services had been collecting coffee jars with the intention of donating them to Jars of Hope. When she learnt about Stirling’s We Care efforts, she gifted 30 bottles immediately, with many more still to come.
“The vision of DNF is to transform our communities by making the streets of South Africa cleaner, more sustainable and more equitable,” Nxumalo-Freeman said.
The company offers instant rebates for recyclable materials through an e-voucher system, redeemable for cash at participating stores.
A robust school recycling programme is already running across East London, with plans to expand its impact.
On March 18, Global Recycling Day, DNF will host its annual Recycling Awards ceremony, recognising the 2025 top-performing schools and waste reclaimers.
Stirling Primary has been invited to send six representatives, an opportunity for pupils to learn, explore innovative exhibits and even play chess using boards made entirely from recycled materials.
For Cadle and her pupils, the connection between recycling and Jars of Hope feels natural: sustainability, responsibility and community upliftment woven together.
In classrooms where maths and language are taught daily, something equally powerful is being nurtured, the realisation that even a simple jar filled with rice and lentils can carry the weight of hope.
Art teachers who are making art from recycled waste are welcome to contact 068-737-0815 or 060-5644-289 or marketing@dnfwaste.co.za
