2 Military Hospital feeds the needy during Mandela Day 2023
T
he Occupational Therapy Department at 2 Military Hospital once again donated 'Akni' meals to the impoverished community of an informal settlement located in Diep River known as "Gatjie." Although the department also treated this day as a teambuilding event, their hearts and main focus were certainly geared toward serving those less fortunate than themselves. 'Akni' is a traditional Malay dish, primarily consisting of spicy, curried chicken, potatoes, and rice. Various spices go into the preparation of traditional Malay 'Akni.' Once the food preparation was completed, personnel from the Occupational Therapy Department set up a camping table as a "serving area" in the Gatjie settlement, and
members began serving 170 separate meals in polystyrene containers. The Gatjie community shared the meal with the members of the 2 Military Hospital OT Department and the children who were still at school before returning home. Lt Col Briel remarked, "What a blessing it was to know that these children would be going to bed with full stomachs." The members of the OT group appreciated the opportunity to partake in this noble cause of feeding the needy. "We may be members of the SANDF within the SAMHS, but any given day, we serve the people of South Africa." That was the message of the OT team.
The Occupational Therapy Department at 2 Military Hospital members preparing and delivering Malay dishes to the Gatjie community.
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Article by Lt Col T. Briel
Photographs by S Sgt B. Pfister
