Church brings gifts of love to Masizakhe Children’s Home

CHRISTMAS came early for 63 orphaned and abandoned children when more fortunate young people rallied and donated an outfit of clothing to each child, as well as a brand new washing machine, a TV and some groceries for their home.

Having started as an overnight shelter for street kids in the 1980s, Masizakhe Children’s Home in Mdantsane is now a registered non-profit organisation that houses children between four and 18 years old from different parts of the province.

The gesture from the National Zion Missionaries Board’s youth wing was the fulfilment of a promise the church made when they visited the facility two years ago.

The gifts were handed over at the children’s home on Saturday.

The vice-president of the Zion youth wing, Thamsanqa Zihlangu, said church members had seen the children’s need when they had visited the home in 2015 to pray with them.

“We went back to our churches and initiated some fundraising where each branch was asked to contribute an amount of R500. We also requested food and clothing donations.

“The clothes were collected with the clothing size of each child in mind to ensure that each and every child got an outfit,” said Zihlangu.

One of the social workers at the home, Roberta Matshikwe-Dyele said while most of the children came from broken families, some had been abandoned and orphaned.

“Some of the children were removed from their parents’ care due to alcohol and drug abuse or neglect by their parents. They are entrusted to us by the courts while external social workers try and rehabilitate their families or find foster homes for them,” said Matshikwe-Dyele, adding that the donated items would come in very handy.

“We only had one washing machine and our old TV set stopped working last week. The clothes will certainly bring joy to these children,” she said.

The home’s manager, Vuyokazi Vaka said even though they received R1 900 from the state for each child, it was not enough to cover all the needs of the children or home.

“We have to ensure these children are fed, clothed, educated and healthy. “We also have to pay staff and service bills and maintain the structure.

“So we rely heavily on donations from local businesses, churches and individuals,” said Vaka.

Zion youth member Zukile Khumsha said their plan was to adopt the home and other NGOs in the area.