The Make A Plate company has been producing durable hand-designed plastic plates since 1969, and I’ve been a loyal customer since 1983. But let me clarify for those who aren’t familiar: Make A Plates are not plastic plates designed by just anybody, they are custom drawn by you! The kit comes with round sheets of paper and special markers, ready to be scribbled or sketched to the best of your ability, then sent to a factory where they are magically transformed into sturdy plastic plates full of memories that will last a lifetime. (And I should know, I’ve had mine for nearly thirty years!)
Little boy in Mount Frere admiring his handiwork.
Nutrition at Mrs. Tshalana's drop-in center in Mount Frere.
When Andy and I decided to volunteer with ASAP, I immediately ordered a kit and packed it in my suitcase along with several other art supplies. Growing up I had so much fun with Make A Plates that I wanted to share the experience with others—and thanks to a kind donation by the Make A Plate company, I was able to do it free of charge! They were happy to wave the processing fees and donate extra plate-making kits, not to mention give these orphans a priceless gift in more ways than one.
OVC hard at work on their drawings!
As our mission states, one of ASAP’s fundamental objectives is to feed orphans and vulnerable children in rural areas. For me, the words “feeding orphans” conjure images of hungry kids, fresh veggies, and a hot stove. But what I didn’t think about were the little things: plates, bowls, utensils. Often times, I would arrive while the village health workers were preparing lunch (usually semp and beans, sauteed cabbage, and steamed carrots, spinach, or potatoes). I would watch them cook, waiting for the kids to slowly trickle in from school and gather ’round for food. Plates and bowls were loaded up and passed out, and if there weren’t enough, the kids would share plates or eat in groups then pass it on to be refilled for another hungry child. It never occurred to me that something as everyday as a plate might be hard to come by.
The first time we used the plate-making kits I kept the intended outcome a surprise. For an hour the kids drew landscapes, cars, houses, or obscure doodles on the round sheets of paper. Once finished, I collected their work with a promise that I would bring it back soon … and a few months later I showed up with one of the coolest surprises these kids had ever had: real plates that they had designed all by themselves.
Many orphans have very little to call their own, usually having to share everything (from clothes to food and books) with brothers and sisters, aunts, gogos, and neighbors. But the orphans at Mrs. Tshalana’s drop-in center were ecstatic to learn that they could keep their own plates and take them home. With the overwhelming gratitude and joy the plates brought these children—and the generous support of the Make A Plate company—Andy and I took the project to another drop-in center in the village of Masupha. The results were just as creative and just as beautiful.
The OVC in Mount Frere were happy to show off the final product!
I plan on taking the finished plates to London for ASAPs annual fundraiser in June, where several children and village health workers will be visiting England (and leaving their village) for the first time ever. I can’t wait to see them all again and show them their beautiful plates (click here for a sneak preview)! Here’s hoping this project can continue with ASAP drop-in centers for years to come.
As our mission states, one of ASAP’s fundamental objectives is to feed orphans and vulnerable children in rural areas. For me, the words “feeding orphans” conjure images of hungry kids, fresh veggies, and a hot stove. But what I didn’t think about were the little things: plates, bowls, utensils. Often times, I would arrive while the village health workers were preparing lunch (usually semp and beans, sauteed cabbage, and steamed carrots, spinach, or potatoes). I would watch them cook, waiting for the kids to slowly trickle in from school and gather ’round for food. Plates and bowls were loaded up and passed out, and if there weren’t enough, the kids would share plates or eat in groups then pass it on to be refilled for another hungry child. It never occurred to me that something as everyday as a plate might be hard to come by.