Rhodes rugby squad helps Home of Joy
IN their first year of qualifying for the Varsity Shield, the FNB Rhodes University rugby team is spreading the joy around.
The Varsity Shield squad visited Home of Joy Child and Youth Care Centre in Grahamstown’s Joza location on Saturday, where they interacted with the children and donated a cheque of R15000.
As part of Varsity Sports Social awareness programme, the Rhodes team are required to choose and maintain a healthy relationship with a charity organisation in their community.
Home of Joy founder, Margaret Ngcangca, was delighted that Rhodes Rugby had chosen them and was excited by the team visit, stating that she was looking forward to forming a long and healthy relationship with Rhodes Rugby.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and today the Rhodes Rugby team has made these children very happy.”
Ngcangca, 71, started Home of Joy in 1995 because she wanted to give orphaned children a place they could call home. The home now houses 27 children ranging from the ages of two months to 21 years.
“I look after 27 children at Home of Joy, and this year two of the children will enrol for their first year of studies at Rhodes University,” a proud Ngcangca said.
“It is hard looking after these children, so any assistance is greatly appreciated, and I would like to thank Rhodes Rugby for this generous donation and support,” Ngcangca said.
She also sent out a plea for anyone, who wants to support her organisation to contact her at 335 B Nompondo Street Joza Location, on 071-303-6305, or e-mail: mngcangca@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, head coach Qondakele Sompondo was happy with the ongoing preparations for Rhodes’ debut Varsity Shield campaign.
“The guys have really worked hard in the past two weeks and I am very pleased with where we are with our preparations. Our physios Lee Pote and Carey Pohl have done a great job in getting the guys in good condition,” Sompondo said.
The squad will play a warm-up game against Fort Hare University this Saturday and the local Grahamstown Brumbies on January 25, before they make their debut against Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria on February 9.