From Tragedy to Triumph: Alina "Poppy" Motaung's Ministry of Hope
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On JustGospel's Community Connections, Alina Ntoake Motaung—known as "Poppy" or the "Angel from Henley on Klip"—shared her extraordinary journey from domestic violence survivor to community champion, now feeding nearly 800 people weekly through Sweet Smell from Heaven ministry.
A Life Shattered
Born in Tweeling, Free State, Alina accepted Jesus at age nine. After marrying and having three children, her life collapsed when her husband became violently abusive during her third pregnancy. She discovered he had another pregnant girlfriend living two streets away. Following a confrontation, her husband—driving Alina's own car—arrived with police to arrest her for "damaging property." A protection order stripped her of everything.
Rock Bottom Becomes Foundation
With Assemblies of God closing due to funding issues, Alina became homeless with three children including a newborn. She spent a night sleeping on trees in Henley on Klip's dangerous "slum point." After walking 20 kilometers to Meyerton clinic carrying her sick baby, she encountered her ex-husband and his girlfriend mockingly eating ice cream.
That night at midnight, she walked toward the river to end her life. Three steps from the water, something pulled her back. A voice asked: "Why now? You are the one who has to feed those needy people."
Ministry Born from Nothing
Confused how she could feed others while hungry herself, Alina contacted a catering company owner who loaded her car with vegetables and 30-40 loaves of bread. She drove to the nearby dumping site where over 40 people lived, watching them scramble for expired sweets from garbage trucks. She served her first community meal. That was seven years ago.
Kingdom Impact Today
Operating from the same two-bedroom house, Alina feeds:
40+ people at the dumping site
120 youth footballers every Saturday
190 homeless individuals every Wednesday
450+ children across Juneteenth, Tekelo, and Shelewe
600-700 children at recent Christmas function
Resourceful Faith
Alina sells donated clothes at flea markets on Saturdays, using proceeds to buy rice, oil, and mealie meal. She hosts three annual events for underprivileged children: birthday parties (many have never experienced cake), talent shows with trophies, and Christmas parties.
Practical Theology
"You cannot give people the Word of God before you give them food. On the street, I give them food first, then the Word—then they understand. You cannot just say 'God loves you' while you cannot show it."
She understands poverty's impact: "The stress of being poor can make you hide in darkness, not thinking straight because you're hungry—you only think of food."
Seven Years of Faithfulness
Though her NPO faces administrative challenges, individual donors respond to radio appeals with clothes, food, and supplies. When vegetables spoiled two days before her Christmas function, God provided through donated Viennas, cakes, and buns. Her consistent faithfulness transforms impossibility into daily miracles.
How to Support
Contact Alina "Poppy" Motaung: 073-236-2730 (call/WhatsApp)
Donations support weekly feeding programs and children's events across Henley on Klip's most vulnerable populations—proof that one faithful woman's obedience can feed hundreds.
A Life Shattered
Born in Tweeling, Free State, Alina accepted Jesus at age nine. After marrying and having three children, her life collapsed when her husband became violently abusive during her third pregnancy. She discovered he had another pregnant girlfriend living two streets away. Following a confrontation, her husband—driving Alina's own car—arrived with police to arrest her for "damaging property." A protection order stripped her of everything.
Rock Bottom Becomes Foundation
With Assemblies of God closing due to funding issues, Alina became homeless with three children including a newborn. She spent a night sleeping on trees in Henley on Klip's dangerous "slum point." After walking 20 kilometers to Meyerton clinic carrying her sick baby, she encountered her ex-husband and his girlfriend mockingly eating ice cream.
That night at midnight, she walked toward the river to end her life. Three steps from the water, something pulled her back. A voice asked: "Why now? You are the one who has to feed those needy people."
Ministry Born from Nothing
Confused how she could feed others while hungry herself, Alina contacted a catering company owner who loaded her car with vegetables and 30-40 loaves of bread. She drove to the nearby dumping site where over 40 people lived, watching them scramble for expired sweets from garbage trucks. She served her first community meal. That was seven years ago.
Kingdom Impact Today
Operating from the same two-bedroom house, Alina feeds:
40+ people at the dumping site
120 youth footballers every Saturday
190 homeless individuals every Wednesday
450+ children across Juneteenth, Tekelo, and Shelewe
600-700 children at recent Christmas function
Resourceful Faith
Alina sells donated clothes at flea markets on Saturdays, using proceeds to buy rice, oil, and mealie meal. She hosts three annual events for underprivileged children: birthday parties (many have never experienced cake), talent shows with trophies, and Christmas parties.
Practical Theology
"You cannot give people the Word of God before you give them food. On the street, I give them food first, then the Word—then they understand. You cannot just say 'God loves you' while you cannot show it."
She understands poverty's impact: "The stress of being poor can make you hide in darkness, not thinking straight because you're hungry—you only think of food."
Seven Years of Faithfulness
Though her NPO faces administrative challenges, individual donors respond to radio appeals with clothes, food, and supplies. When vegetables spoiled two days before her Christmas function, God provided through donated Viennas, cakes, and buns. Her consistent faithfulness transforms impossibility into daily miracles.
How to Support
Contact Alina "Poppy" Motaung: 073-236-2730 (call/WhatsApp)
Donations support weekly feeding programs and children's events across Henley on Klip's most vulnerable populations—proof that one faithful woman's obedience can feed hundreds.
